Yordan Alvarez Misses Astros’ Lineup Due to Bruised Right Knee
Yordan Alvarez was absent from the Houston Astros’ lineup at the start of a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners on Monday night due to a bruised right knee.
Alvarez sustained the injury while sliding into second base during a double in the third inning of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels, leading to his early exit.
Manager Joe Espada reported that Alvarez underwent X-rays after Sunday’s game and was scheduled for an MRI on Monday. “We got some X-rays, and there was some inflammation in the area, so we want to make sure we check all the boxes,” Espada stated. “He’s getting some extra testing done.”
Espada also mentioned that he spoke with Alvarez on Monday morning, and the slugger woke up feeling “pretty sore.”
Currently, Alvarez leads the Astros with a .308 batting average, 35 home runs, and 86 RBIs. In his absence, Jason Heyward started in left field for the Astros, who can secure the AL West title with a win over the Mariners.
Astros Face Injury Setback with Yordan Alvarez’s Knee Issue
The Houston Astros experienced a painful setback with Yordan Alvarez’s injury, coming on the heels of a blown save by closer Josh Hader.
The Astros suffered a tough loss to the Angels on Sunday, largely due to Hader’s struggles, where he allowed four runs and walked two batters in under an inning.
Although Houston clinched the AL West title despite the defeat and Alvarez’s injury, the day was marked by mixed emotions.
Alvarez’s Injury Update Poses Concerns for Astros
In the third inning, Alvarez injured his knee while sliding into second base and was removed from the game shortly after. Following the game, Joe Espada shared concerning news about Alvarez’s condition.
“Yordan is not great. That’s not what you want right now, but we have to prepare for [Monday],” Espada commented. “It’s pretty sore. When he slid, his weight on the knee and the way it handled caused the issue. Hopefully, we’ll receive some good news soon.”
Concerns Raised Over Alvarez’s Injury History
Alvarez has a history of knee problems, having undergone surgeries on both knees in 2020 and previously repairing a torn patellar tendon early in his career. While he hasn’t faced significant knee issues lately, the Astros have been cautious in limiting his time in the outfield.
The Astros slugger was heating up at a crucial time, going 4-for-4 with a home run in Saturday’s victory and starting Sunday’s game 2-for-2 with a double.
Known for his clutch performances in the postseason, Alvarez’s potential absence is a concern for Astros fans, especially following their AL West title victory.
The hope remains that his knee injury is less severe than it initially appeared, despite Espada’s somber comments postgame.
