The Astros have had a frustrating season to date. While they're 38-29, good for second in the AL West behind the Rangers, Houston has had a tough time getting healthy. Most recently, star outfielder-DH Yordan Alvarez suffered an oblique injury that will keep him out for an extended period.
Alvarez, who is hitting .277/.388/.589 with 17 home runs (tied for eighth in MLB through June 13), exited the Astros' June 8 game against the Blue Jays with discomfort in his side. He was placed on the injured list a day later.
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Astros manager Dusty Baker was coy in talking about Alvarez's status, citing HIPAA as a reason he couldn't divulge whether Alvarez had had imaging done (per The Athletic's Chandler Rome).
Dusty baker said he did not know whether Yordan Alvarez had an MRI. He said even if he did, he couldn’t say, citing HIPAA. Told that other teams reveal players had imaging done all the time, Baker said to ask trainer Jeremiah Randall. The Astros do not make Randall available
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 13, 2023
Astros general manager Dana Brown eventually gave an update on Alvarez's recovery timeline while also confirming that an MRI exam was done.
Astros GM Dana Brown on Yordan Alvarez. pic.twitter.com/dqXF5akZXp
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) June 14, 2023
What is Yordan Alvarez's injury?
According to Astros general manager Dana Brown, Yordan Alvarez is battling an oblique strain.
"That's one of those things, the oblique is tricky," Brown said.
Alvarez has dealt with lower-body issues in the past: he had arthroscopic surgery on both knees in 2020. He has otherwise been healthy for most of his career. He played in 144 games in 2021 and 135 games in 2022.
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How long is Yordan Alvarez out?
Alvarez is expected to miss several weeks, although neither Brown nor Baker would offer specifics.
"At the three-week mark we should definitely know more," Brown told reporters. "I hate to kick the can down the road, but at the end of the day sometimes you have to give that oblique some time. . . . I think it's looking like it's going to be four weeks. But I think it should be fine."
Baker was more noncommittal after the Astros' June 13 game against the Nationals, saying only that "Yordan's a ways off."
“Yordan’s a ways off,” Dusty Baker said postgame.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 14, 2023
If Alvarez does miss four weeks, that would make the target return date July 14, after the All-Star break.
Yordan Alvarez injury history
Alvarez's injury history is relatively short.
The only serious injury he has suffered since joining the Astros occurred in 2020 when he had a partial tear of the patellar tendon in his right knee. He underwent arthroscopic surgery in both knees and played just two games that season.
Alvarez has also dealt with neck stiffness in 2023 and a hand ailment in 2022. Add the oblique strain to the list.