Astros' Yordan Álvarez exudes confidence with home run in second game back after three-month IL stint

Astros' Yordan Álvarez exudes confidence with home run in second game back after three-month IL stint originally appeared on The Sporting News

After being sidelined for three months, Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez homered in just his second game back. Alvarez, who suffered a fractured right hand, showed his might in the eighth inning. The changeup from Colorado Rockies right-hander Angel Chivilli was parked to center field at Daikin Park for a two-run home run. The Astros won the game 4-0.

This was his second game since May 2, when he went hitless against the Chicago White Sox. After drawing two walks in Tuesday's game, Alvarez went one step ahead on Wednesday, going 1-2, along with two walks and two runs scored. After the game, Alvarez expressed confidence in his abilities. 

“I felt really good when I hit it,” Alvarez said via an interpreter. “I needed to feel that hit when I hit it, more for the confidence, especially with all this time that I’ve been out.”

“It hasn’t been a lot of time,” Alvarez added. “I think the only thing I can do is go out there and try to hit and find the rhythm. And I’m just trying to go out there, see a lot of pitches, and just trying to get my rhythm back.”

Astros bench coach lavishes praise on Alvarez

Before hitting the injured list, he had a .210/.306/.340 slash line with three home runs and seven extra-base hits. However, his successful rehab assignment down with Corpus Christi, where he batted .467 in four games, proved that both his timing and mobility were returning. After Wednesday's game, Astros bench coach Omar López said:

“The guys were in the dugout joking around like, ‘It’s so easy, spending three months away … and right away, second game, hit a homer.’ That’s Alvarez.”

Alvarez returning to his former self couldn't have come at a better time, as the Mariners are closing in and are now only 1.5 games behind in the AL West standings.