Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez is not in the team's starting lineup with a left-hander on the mound in Wednesday's series finale versus the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Jose Altuve will serve as the DH while hitting leadoff, and Chas McCormick draws into left field while batting ninth against Cardinals southpaw Steven Matz. Alvarez hit his second home run of the season in Tuesday's win over St. Louis, but he's hitting an uncharacteristic .224 (13-for-58) with two doubles, 10 RBI, a steal, 11 walks and 15 strikeouts in his first 17 games. It's still way too early to panic with the three-time All-Star. Altuve, meanwhile, continues to hit .300 with three homers, seven RBI, 10 runs and three steals after moving permanently to left field. Both he and McCormick have homered in their careers off Matz, although McCormick is a lackluster DFS play in the nine-hole on Wednesday.

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez belted his first home run of the season on Sunday, a game-tying two-run blast in the ninth inning of the team's 9-7 win in extra innings. The left-handed slugger finished 2-for-4 on the day with three RBI and a run scored. The 27-year-old got off to a slow start, going 1-for-16 ( .063) over his first five games, but has picked up the pace, going 5-for-17 (.294) over the last four. The 3x All-Star is coming off his fourth straight 30-homer campaign and looks to be heating up as the team heads to Seattle to take on Logan Gilbert andthe Mariners on Monday. Alvarez is 8-for-28 (.286) off the righty in his career, including four doubles, a home run, and a 3:8 BB:K, making him an intriguing DFS play against the talented pitcher.

Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes is set to bat in the two-hole entering the season, with outfielder Yordan Alvarez batting third, according to manager Joe Espada. Paredes will be looking to take advantage of the Crawford Boxes in short left field of Daikin Park and perform like the player he was in 2023 when he slashed .250/.352/.488 with 31 home runs for the Rays. He should see plenty of pitches to hit while batting in front of Alvarez, who has proven himself to be one of the best hitters in the league. He is coming off of a 2024 season where he slashed .308/.392/.567 with 35 home runs, 86 RBI, and 88 runs in 147 games.

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (thumb) is returning to the starting lineup on Wednesday evening against the New York Mets. Alvarez was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to this minor injury. However, as expected, Alvarez is set to return to action just 24 hours later. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he faces a setback. Earlier in the offseason, the team has expressed that they will have Alvarez serve as their designated hitter more often to keep him healthy. Last season, the 27-year-old slugger made 53 starts in the outfield, but fantasy managers should expect that number to decline in 2025. In the batter's box, he posted an elite .308/.392/.567 slash line with 35 home runs and an elite .411 xwOBA. He should be viewed as a high-power upside No. 1 outfielder in all formats.

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (thumb) was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to thumb soreness. Chandler Rome of The Athletic noted that he suffered this injury during Sunday's batting practice. However, manager Joe Espada expressed that Alvarez will likely return to the lineup on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears this injury is not very serious. Last season, Alvarez posted a stellar .308/.392/.567 slash line with 34 doubles and 35 home runs. He tallied 88 runs and 86 RBI. He generated an elite .411 xwOBA and a .595 xSLG, which placed him in the 99th percentile, respectively. The Astros have stated that Alvarez will likely see more time as a designated hitter throughout the season to keep him healthy. Given his elite power upside, fantasy managers should confidently target him as a high-end No. 1 outfielder.

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez is expected to see most of his starts during the 2025 season as a designated hitter. Manager Joe Espada expressed that they need to keep him healthy. The skipper also noted "Things are going to have to be really awful for me to be running him out there that many games," about him potentially starting more than 50 games in the outfield. Last season, Alvarez made 53 of his 147 starts in left field. However, it appears the coaching staff will ensure that number decreases in the 2025 campaign. As a result, this will open up more starts for Chas McCormick, Mauricio Dubon, Zach Dezenzo, and even top prospect Cam Smith. Last season, Alvarez was dominant in the batter's box as he posted a strong .308/.392/.567 line with 35 long balls. He should be viewed as a late first-round target in all fantasy formats.

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) told reporters this week at FanFest that his knee is 100 percent healed and that he has felt normal for at least three to four weeks. Alvarez injured his right knee toward the end of the regular season in 2024 and thought he might need surgery, but he ended up avoiding going under the knife. The left-handed slugger said he's ready to hit and play defense in spring training. It's great news for the 27-year-old, who is one of the best all-around hitters in baseball. He reached the 30-homer mark for the fourth straight season in 2024 and also had career-highs in games played (147) and plate appearances (635) despite injuring his knee late in the year. Despite a history of lower-body injuries, Alvarez is currently ranked as the No. 14 overall fantasy player by RotoBaller for 2025.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said he would like to "cut back" on outfielder Yordan Alvarez's playing time in left field next year. Espada also praised Zach Dezenzo's development in left field during winter ball in Puerto Rico, so perhaps Dezenzo will be awarded some playing time at the position next year when the Astros elect to use Alvarez as the designated hitter. The 27-year-old Alvarez played 53 games in left field in 2024 and served as the DH 94 times in 147 regular-season games for the 'Stros. A right-knee sprain kept Alvarez sidelined towards the end of September. Position aside, Alvarez is an everyday hitter with elite batted-ball metrics and a low strikeout rate, which is a testament to just how good of an all-around hitter he is. He played in a career-high 147 games last year and cleared the 30-homer mark for the fourth straight year. Injuries are always an issue, but few boast the kind of dominant hitting consistency that Alvarez has shown in recent seasons.

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) is serving as the DH and is batting second for Game 1 of the wild-card series on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers and left-hander Tarik Skubal at Minute Maid Park. Alvarez sprained his right knee while sliding over a week ago and was forced to sit out the final week of the regular season as a result. The 27-year-old lefty slugger did some hitting and running on Monday and was cleared to be part of the postseason roster. When healthy, Alvarez is one of the best all-around hitters in baseball, but it's unclear how healthy he actually is, and he'll be facing Skubal, who won the American League pitching Triple Crown in 2024. Alvarez was an All-Star this year for the third straight season and hit a cool .308/.392/.567 with 35 homers, 86 RBI and six steals in 147 games played.

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) will reportedly hit on Monday, according to manager Joe Espada. The superstar slugger has been sidelined since September 22 due to a lingering knee issue. It sounds like Alvarez has been making solid progress and should be ready for the Wild Card series against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. The expectation is that Alvarez is going to DH during that series. The Astros will take that as they'd be in serious trouble if their superstar slugger was unable to hit in the postseason.

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) won't accompany the team to Cleveland this weekend for their series against the Guardians to close out the 2024 regular season, according to manager Joe Espada. Alvarez will stay in Houston to work with the team's doctors and training staff. The left-handed slugger still isn't doing baseball activity after spraining his right knee on a slide on Sunday, but he is feeling better. The 27-year-old was hoping to get some at-bats this weekend, but that won't be the case, and the Astros can only hope that he'll be ready to go for the first round of the playoffs next week. The Cuban slugger finishes his 2024 regular season with another strong campaign, slashing .308/.392/.567 with a .959 OPS, 35 home runs, 86 RBI, six steals and 88 runs scored in 552 at-bats. Jason Heyward should see regular playing time in the outfield the rest of the way for Houston.

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) said he's able to put more weight on his leg on Tuesday but still isn't able to turn his knee at all. Alvarez said he's hoping to get some at-bats this weekend in the final series of the regular season against the Cleveland Guardians, but that will be contingent on the swelling in his knee. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger was diagnosed with a right-knee sprain after undergoing an MRI exam on Monday. It's the worst possible time for the Astros to lose one of the best all-around hitters in baseball with the playoffs beginning next week. If he is unable to get some at-bats this weekend against the Guardians, there's no guarantee that Alvarez will be ready to go for the start of the postseason. Jason Heyward is going to benefit from extra playing time in the outfield in Houston with Alvarez dinged up.

After undergoing an MRI exam on Monday, Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) was diagnosed with a right-knee sprain. Alvarez did not play in the series-opening loss to the division-rival Seattle Mariners on Monday and will not be available for the entire series. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger was removed from Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels when he injured his right knee on a slide. While it's not great Houston won't have one of the best hitters in MLB available for their crucial series against the M's, the Astros' primary objective will be to have Alvarez ready to go for the start of the playoffs next week. It wouldn't be a surprise if Alvarez is also unavailable this weekend against the Cleveland Guardians. The left-handed hitting Jason Heyward made the start in left field on Monday and should see more run until Alvarez is able to return.

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) had an MRI exam on Monday afternoon after X-rays on Sunday showed "inflammation" in his knee, according to manager Joe Espada. The skipper said that Alvarez woke up on Monday morning "pretty sore." The 27-year-old left-handed slugger was removed from Sunday's game early against the Los Angeles Angels due to discomfort in his right knee after a slide. He was not in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the division-rival Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park and should be considered day-to-day until further notice. The Astros would be dealt a huge blow if Alvarez, one of the best hitters in the game, isn't ready for the start of the playoffs next week, so he may not play much, if at all, the rest of the week. Jason Heyward got the start in left field for the Astros on Monday against the M's.

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) is absent from the team's starting lineup for Monday's series opener at Minute Maid Park against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. The left-handed-hitting Jason Heyward is starting in left field and is batting eighth, with Jon Singleton serving as the DH and batting fifth against Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller. Victor Caratini is at first base and is hitting sixth. It's not a surprise that Alvarez is out on Monday after leaving Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels due to a right-knee contusion that he suffered while sliding. Until we know the results of the 27-year-old's MRI exam, consider him day-to-day. The Astros can ill-afford to lose one of the best hitters in baseball with the playoffs beginning next week. The three-time All-Star is currently hitting .308/.392/.567 with a .959 OPS, 35 homers, 86 RBI and even six steals in 147 games.

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) was taken out of Sunday's contest early against the division-rival Los Angles Angels with a right-knee contusion following a hard slide into second base in the third inning. Manager Joe Espada said that Alvarez was undergoing imaging tests after the game to determine the severity of the injury. Alvarez was massaging his right knee before he hobbled off the field. Before leaving, he went 2-for-2 at the plate. "Not what I wanted to see when I ran out there," Espada said. "It's pretty sore. Just when he slid, his weight on the knee and just the way it handled. Hopefully we get some good news here." Alvarez had arthroscopic surgery on both of his knees in August of 2020 and also had a slight tear of the patellar tendon in his right knee. For now, consider him day-to-day, but don't expect Alvarez to play on Monday against the Mariners.

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez broke out of his slump Saturday, going 4-for-5 with a solo home run, his 35th of the season. He also scored twice. The 3x All-Star came into the game hitting .118 (4-for-34) over his previous nine contests. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old is having another productive season overall, amassing a .305-35-86-88-6 line with a .399 wOBA and 166 wRC+. He'll look to keep it going on Sunday versus the Angels' Griffin Canning (5.16 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) who he is 5-for-11 off of lifetime, including a pair of homers.

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez blasted a solo shot in the ninth inning of the Astros' 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. The solo shot, his 33rd HR of the season, was Alvarez's only hit of the day though he did record a second RBI on a sacrifice fly in the second inning. The lefty has been on fire in the second half of the season, hitting for a 1.054 OPS and knocking 14 of his 33 HR in the second half. Fantasy managers should continue to keep Alvarez in their starting lineups at all costs. With the Astros holding a 4.5 game lead in the AL West they'll need Alvarez to continue his MVP caliber production until the division is locked up. Alvarez should continue dominating lefties on the road tonight as the Astros face off against Angels lefty Tyler Anderson, who Alvarez is 6-14 against in his career with two doubles and two HR. DFS managers specifically should target Alvarez tonight given his familiarity with Anderson combined his 205 wRC+ split against lefties on the road in 2024.

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez blasted a pair of three-run home runs in a 2-for-4 effort during Friday's 8-0 win over the Diamondbacks, giving him six RBI on the day. The 27-year-old is up to 32 home runs on the season and has driven in 79, along with 89 runs scored, and six stolen bases. It was the 3x All-Star's third multi-homer game in his last nine games and he's coming off a month in which he recorded a .382/.481/.697 slashline. Alvarez is hitting .310 now on the season with a .406 wOBA and 170 wRC+, making him one of the top options for fantasy again in 2024.

Houston Astros designated hitter/outfielder Yordan Alvarez continued to mash on Sunday, going 2-for-4 with a pair of solo homers in a 7-2 win over the Kansas City Royals. Alvarez is coming off a three-homer game on Wednesday and came into this one with a slash line of .382/.481/.697 in August. It's safe to say he's been on a heater at the dish. Although he has an oddly low amount of runs and RBI, he has provided what was expected of him in the AVG and home run departments. He should once again be one of the best four-category contributors in fantasy next year and might come with a nice discount given his lack of counting stats this year.