Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) is targeting a return to the lineup when first eligible on Aug. 15. Limited to just 29 games this season due to a right-hand fracture suffered in May, Alvarez has been a major missing piece in Houston's lineup. With Isaac Paredes potentially out for the year, Alvarez's return would provide a much-needed middle-of-the-order boost. His presence would also offer protection for slumping bats like Yainer Diaz and Christian Walker. If healthy, Alvarez could be a difference-maker for the Astros' playoff push and a major fantasy asset in the season's final weeks.

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) is "ramping up his workload," according to general manager Dana Brown, and once he gets through that, the Astros plan to have him face live pitching. Brown wants Alvarez to go on a short minor-league rehab stint, too, before rejoining the big-league team. "I'll take a 75% Yordan Alvarez over some of the guys we have now," Brown added. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger was cleared to start hitting slow toss last week and has now gotten to the point where's he ready to see live pitching. It means that barring a setback, he could be back with the Astros by next week. Expect the Astros to ease him back in, and it's possible Alvarez serves as the primary DH the rest of the year. The three-time All-Star didn't look like himself in just 100 at-bats earlier this year, but he could be a difference-maker if he bounces back to form for the final two months.

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (hand) took "more than 50 swings off a tee and soft toss" on Friday, according to MLB.com. Alvarez has been on the injured list with a right hand fracture since early May. It's been a shockingly long recovery for the 28-year-old, who was initially expected to miss relatively minimal time. In 121 plate appearances before the injury, Alvarez struggled to a .210/.306/.340 slash line with three home runs and 18 RBI. His .646 OPS this season is significantly worse than his career OPS of .960. Houston needs Alvarez to return to peak form down the stretch and into the postseason, so they'll surely continue to be cautious with his recovery. His next step will likely be to progress to facing live pitching, followed by a rehab assignment.

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (hand) began hitting some slow toss on Monday, reports Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. His hand is feeling good, but is continuing to progress slowly with caution. The slugger has made it to this point in his rehab multiple times already, but was shut down each time with soreness in his injured hand. Hopefully this time it is truly healed, as the 28-year-old has been out since May 2 with a hand injury that was eventually discovered to be a fracture. He'll be eager to return to the field and turn his season around, as he was batting just .210 with three home runs through 29 games before the injury.

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) resumed swinging a bat on Thursday and is with the team in Seattle for their series against the division rival Mariners this weekend, according to the team. Alvarez has not played in a game since May 5 due to a fractured hand. However, the 28-year-old could finally be turning a corner, with general manager Dana Brown saying on Sunday that the team could "try to expedite Alvarez's return." We're not sure what to expect with the left-handed hitting outfielder/DH after he's missed so much time this year. When he does return, though, the Astros could ease him into the fold, and he could strictly serve as the DH the rest of the season. The three-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger winner struggled to a .210 average with only three home runs and 18 RBI in his first 100 at-bats before landing on the IL.

Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (hand) is set for re-evaluation Thursday as team doctors consider clearing him to start swinging a bat. Alvarez was placed on the injured list on May 6 with a right hand fracture. His return timeline remains undefined. The 28-year-old slugger was struggling before the injury in 29 games, slashing .210/.306/.340 with three home runs and a .646 OPS. Alvarez reports no pain in his hand and would be a welcome offensive boost for the banged-up Astros as they aim for a postseason run.

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) is still not swinging a bat. The 28-year-old recently underwent imaging of his hand, which showed that the small fracture had healed. Now, any pain he's experiencing is due to inflammation, not the fracture. The 3x All-Star also has received injections in his hand, but he hasn't been able to progress to swinging a bat. A return after the All-Star break was looking like the best-case scenario, however, it seems a late July return is becoming the most optimistic view at this point.

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (hand) is continuing to work out, but hasn't yet resumed hitting, reports Chandler Rome of The Athletic. It's been a long and frustrating rehab process for the slugger, with an initial diagnosis of hand inflammation that sent him to the injured list in early May. However, over a month into the rehab process, it was revealed that he actually had a fracture in his hand. After attempting to ramp up baseball activities last week, the 28-year-old was temporarily shut down once again with soreness that required injections to reduce the discomfort. It's just a waiting game at this point, but hopefully the hand will be fully healed following the All-Star break.

Per the Houston Astros, outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) received some encouraging news from a hand specialist that examined him on Wednesday. Alvarez received additional imaging, which showed that the main cause of his current pain is merely inflammation, and the small fracture that had been sustained is now a non-factor in the pain that Alvarez is experiencing. He received two injections on Wednesday and will refrain from baseball activity with his hand in the coming days. The specialist also determined that the 28-year-old's hand has made noticeable progress when compared to the imaging done over the last several weeks. While it's good news, there's still no timetable for the All-Star's return. In a best-case scenario, Alvarez will be ready to go for the start of the second half of the season on July 18.

The Houston Astros transferred outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday, according to the Houston Chronicle's Matt Kawahara. In an additional moves, the Astros placed infielder Luis Guillorme (hamstring) on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain and recalled infielder Zack Short from Triple-A Sugar Land. Houston was hoping that Alvarez could rejoin the club before the All-Star break, but that is unlikely to happen now after the 28-year-old All-Star suffered a setback this week. It's turned into a lost season for the left-handed slugger, as he's been out since early May and has hit just .210/.306/.340 with three home runs, 18 RBI and seven runs scored. Fantasy managers must continue to stash Alvarez and keep their fingers cross that he can return for the start of the second half on July 18.

The Houston Chronicle's Matt Kawahara reports that Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (hand) experienced pain in his hand when hitting on Monday. According to General Manager Dana Brown, the 28-year-old's rehab will be paused, and he'll see a specialist regarding the fracture in his hand. It's undoubtedly disappointing news, as Alvarez was seemingly expected to return to the team within the next week or so. We'll learn more after he meets with doctors, but it doesn't bode well for his status. He last suited up for Houston on May 2, and boasts an underwhelming .210/.306/.340 triple slash with three homers through 29 appearances.

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown reports that outfielder Yordan Alvarez (hand) could return during the team's next homestand. "If things go well, it could be next homestand. I haven't ruled out potentially flying him to L.A....I don't think he needs much (more) time." The fantasy stalwart has been out since early May when he fractured his hand, though he's getting close to a return. If Brown decides against flying him out to Los Angeles for their weekend meeting with the Dodgers, his next chance at action will be a three-game series against the visiting Cleveland Guardians on Monday. Alvarez scuffled through his first 100 at-bats (.210), but he'll be a welcome sight for the Astros and fantasy managers upon his return.

The Houston Astros have not ruled out the possibility of designated hitter/outfielder Yordan Alvarez (hand) coming off the injured list next weekend, according to general manager Dana Brown. It's "not the most likely scenario, but we're not putting that aside," Brown said of a potential return for a July 4-6 road series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Alvarez, out since May 2 because of a fracture in his right hand, has taken swings in the batting cage this weekend. Before landing on the IL, Alvarez hit a disappointing .210/.306/.340 with three home runs and 18 RBI in 121 plate appearances. However, considering the 28-year-old slugger is one of the game's premier hitters, the Astros and fantasy managers will happily welcome him back.

Houston Astros designated hitter/outfielder Yordan Alvarez (hand) could be nearing a return from the injured list. The slugger has been out since May 2 after sustaining a fracture in his right hand. Alvarez took 25 swings in the batting cage on Saturday and plans to do the same on Sunday, hoping he can return before the All-Star Break on July 14. Before getting hurt, Alvarez had struggled to a .210/.306/.340 slash line with three home runs and 18 RBI in 121 plate appearances. However, his walk rate (13.4%) and strikeout rate (17.4%) were still in line with career norms, and his xBA (.246) and xSLG (.495) point to better days ahead. With his strong career track record, Alvarez remains a must-start in all formats upon his return.

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) was able to hit off a tee on Sunday. Now, Alvarez is set to do it again on Tuesday as he continues to work his way back from a fractured hand. Alvarez has been sidelined since early May, but is hopeful to get back in the lineup soon. The expectation is that Alvarez is going to need a rehab assignment before being cleared to return to Houston. That being said, Alvarez is probably going to be sidelined for at least another week or two. The fact he's swinging the bat again is a good sign in his recovery.

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) is playing catch with manager Joe Espada in right field at Daikin Park on Tuesday before the team's contest against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome. It's good to see Alvarez doing some baseball activities, but the 27-year-old All-Star slugger might not be back in the big leagues until after the mid-July All-Star break. Alvarez has been sidelined since May 3 with a fractured right hand and has dealt with lingering discomfort. So far, it's turning into a lost season for the Cuban outfielder, especially since he hit just .210 (21-for-100) with three homers and 18 RBI before going on the shelf. All fantasy managers can do is remain patient and hope he can find his pre-injury form when he returns in the second half.

Per Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, outfielders Yordan Alvarez (hand) and Zach Dezenzo (hand) are still not hitting. Dezenzo has been out with a capsule strain in his hand since the end of May, and though he's reportedly pain-free, he still hasn't picked up a bat. Alvarez, on the other hand, is still recovering from a fracture he sustained in his hand that has sidelined him since May 3. The team has already noted that the fantasy stalwart won't resume hitting until he's fully healed, so he still has a bit more to go. It seems likely that both athletes will require minor-league rehab assignments before rejoining the roster. However, there's been no news on that front for either player.

Although Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) still isn't taking swings, he's apparently feeling better. "Day-to-day thing, he feels a lot better," general manager Dana Brown said on Wednesday. The Astros have made it sound like Alvarez's hand injury hasn't been all that serious all along, but he hasn't played since May 5 and is in danger of missing the rest of the first half of the season if he doesn't resume swinging a bat soon. The 27-year-old All-Star is dealing with a fracture in his right hand, which could help explain why he has hit just .210/.306/.340 with only three home runs, 18 RBI and seven runs scored in his 100 at-bats. There remains no timetable for his return, but fantasy managers must keep him stashed in an injured list spot and hope that whenever he comes back, he'll be the Alvarez of old.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that neither outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) nor outfielder Zach Dezenzo (hand) have resumed hitting, while outfielder Chas McCormick (oblique) was able to hit off a tee on Friday. It's unclear whether Alvarez will join the team on their seven-game road trip next week. The 27-year-old left-handed hitter's fractured right hand has not fully healed, so it's unclear when exactly he might be able to return to the big-league roster. It's shaping up as a lost season for the Cuban slugger to this point, as he hasn't played since May 2 and most likely won't be able to make it back until after the mid-July All-Star break. Before his injury, Alvarez was hitting an uncharacteristic .210/.306/.340 with only three home runs, 18 RBI and seven runs scored in 100 at-bats. With Alvarez out, rookie Jacob Melton has gotten an opportunity as an everyday player.

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (hand) underwent further imaging on his injured hand, which revealed a fracture. However, Chandler Rome of The Athletic noted that the fracture is 60 percent healed and that the team hopes the slugger can return to action in "the near future." Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status, as it appeared the 27-year-old was nearing a return as he took live batting practice on Friday. However, Alvarez will now have to wait until the fracture has completely healed. Before his injury, Alvarez posted a .210/.306/.340 line with three home runs. However, under the hood, he generated an elite .363 xwOBA with a 94.0 mph average exit velocity. While he remains sidelined, the Astros will likely have several players operate as the DH. This will likely open more opportunities for either Yainer Diaz or Victor Caratini to see playing time when they are not catching.