The Houston Astros placed slugger Yordan Alvarez on the 10-day injured list Monday. The team cited inflammation in his right hand as the reason for the move.
The transaction is retroactive to May 3, making the earliest potential return date May 12. That date coincides with the start of a series against the Kansas City Royals.
Alvarez traveled back to Houston Monday for further testing and imaging on the hand. He missed the team's previous two games against the Chicago White Sox due to the ailment.
Astros manager Joe Espada noted that Yordan Alvarez felt better Monday but indicated the need for more time for the hand to heal completely. Espada stated the club wants to get the hitter "right" and hopes for his return during the upcoming homestand.
The outfielder and designated hitter has struggled at the plate this season. Through 121 plate appearances, he holds a .210 batting average, a .306 on-base percentage, and a .340 slugging percentage. He has recorded three home runs and 18 RBIs.
This follows a difficult April where he posted a .670 OPS. Alvarez last homered on April 27. His current performance represents a significant decrease from his career marks entering the season.
Inflammation in his hands has affected Alvarez in the past, including in 2022 and during 2023 Spring Training. Espada said the current soreness is in a different location than the issue in July 2022.
To fill Alvarez's spot on the active roster, the Astros recalled catcher CĂ©sar Salazar from Triple-A Sugar Land. The move provides manager Espada with a third catcher, potentially allowing flexibility for using backstops in the designated hitter role vacated by Alvarez.
The loss impacts a Houston offense that entered Monday's game with a .370 team slugging percentage and 29 home runs on the season.
Espada commented on Yordan Alvarez's performance and health. “Maybe it has something to do with the hand,” Espada said. “I’m not going to speak for Yordan. I just know that he hasn’t been the guy. (In) Kansas City, he hits a ball 400-and-something feet and then just doesn’t feel comfortable. We want to make sure he feels comfortable and he’s back 100 percent and keep him in the lineup for a long haul.”
