The Houston Astros are having a middling season so far, as they hover just above .500 at 17-16 through 33 games. Unsurprisingly, that sticks them right in the middle of the AL Central race, just three games back of the division-leading Seattle Mariners.

However, things just got a little bit tougher for the Astros as they look to secure a foothold in both the division race and in the American League Wild Card race. Slugger Yordan Alvarez is suffering from a hand injury and has been placed on the 10-day injured list, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic.

“Yordan Alvarez is going on the IL with right hand inflammation, the Astros announced,” Rome reported on X, formerly Twitter. “César Salazar is up from Triple-A to take his spot on the roster.”

Alvarez has gone back to Houston to meet with team doctors as the Astros head to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers.

Article Continues Below
Related Houston Astros News
Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) delivers a pitch against the Athletics during the fourth inning at Daikin Park.
Astros’ Lance McCullers Jr. hits important milestone for first time in 3 yearsZachary Howell ·
Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) hits a single during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Daikin Park.
Astros’ Christian Walker suffers injury scare vs. AthleticsBenedetto Vitale ·
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) works on a fielding exercise during a spring training workout at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Luis Garcia gets injury return timetable from Astros GMBenedetto Vitale ·
Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) prior to the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Daikin Park
Astros leaving Yordan Alvarez’s injury return in his handsQuinn Allen ·
Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco (56) tosses a rosin bag in the air between pitches during the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.
Astros dealt season-ending injury update to key starterMalik Brown ·
Houston Astros designated hitter Jose Altuve (27) reacts to his home run against there Athletics in the fourth inning at Daikin Park.
Astros’ Jose Altuve goes yard with massive home run vs. AthleticsAlex House ·

The fact that he is only on the 10-day injured list is a positive sign for now, as it doesn't seem like Houston will be without its biggest bat for an extended period of time. However, removing that kind of pop at the plate is going to be a tough pill for the Astros to swallow if it drags on any longer than that.

Alvarez, who has become somewhat of a playoff folk hero, hasn't had his best stuff at the plate this season. He is hitting just .210 in 29 games with three home runs and 18 RBIs. However, the 27-year-old has become known for taking his game to another level as the season goes on and the summer turns to fall over his career, so the Astros won't be panicking about their star just yet.

Alvarez will miss series against the Beweres and the Cincinnati Reds, as well as at least part of a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals. While that isn't a gauntlet of a slate to have to play without one of your best players, it will still be an uphill battle for Houston at the plate without one of its best run-producers.