Astros GM: Alvarez, Altuve could return in finale vs. Rangers
HOUSTON — Because of accidents, the Astros have had designated hitter Yordan Alvarez and second baseman Jose Altuve within the beginning lineup collectively for less than 13 of the crew’s first 101 video games and have nonetheless managed to remain on the heels of the Rangers in the American League West race.
So you possibly can think about the extent of enthusiasm that shot by means of Houston’s clubhouse Tuesday when normal supervisor Dana Brown stated it appears to be like “very promising” that each gamers will probably be activated off the injured record and will probably be within the lineup for Wednesday’s collection finale in opposition to the Rangers at Minute Maid Park.
“I’m ready to play here,” Altuve stated. “I really miss playing with my teammates, so I think we’re going to go straight to games.”
Both gamers went by means of pregame drills once more Tuesday, together with hitting on the sphere, and they are going to be given a remaining analysis after they arrive on the ballpark Wednesday. Altuve has been out since July 3, and Alvarez since June 8 — each with indirect accidents.
“It’s a good thing,” Brown stated. “It feels like part of a trade. These guys that have been out for so much of the season, it feels like we’re acquiring two players, and that’s an impactful thing for this club and what they mean to this club.”
Alvarez strained his proper indirect swinging the bat June 8 in Toronto and has missed 39 video games. At the time of the damage, Alvarez was main the Major Leagues with 55 RBIs in 57 video games and had began 36 consecutive video games after lacking 4 video games with neck stiffness. He performed three video games on a Minor League rehab project over the weekend.
“He looked pretty good,” supervisor Dusty Baker stated. “We’ll make that decision in the morning.”
Altuve, who missed the primary 43 video games of the common season after fracturing his thumb within the World Baseball Classic, strained his left indirect throughout batting apply previous to the Astros’ July 4 recreation. He’s appeared in solely 32 video games to this point this 12 months, slashing .264/.371/.479 with six homers and 18 RBIs. Unlike Alvarez, Altuve will bypass a Minor League rehab project.
“He feels like his timing is pretty good, and that’s why tomorrow we’ll have a better feel for it,” Brown stated. “For the veterans, [no rehab assignment] doesn’t bother me one bit. These guys are true professionals, and Altuve is in really, really good shape. There’s no concern at all. And if he has to pull back, he’ll pull back.”
Houston averaged 4.5 runs per recreation and had a .712 OPS from the beginning of the common season by means of June 8, the day Alvarez was injured. Since June 9, the Astros’ offense is averaging 5.1 runs per recreation with a .755 OPS with out Alvarez, as Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Chas McCormick and Yainer Diaz have emerged as harmful offensive threats
Houston’s pitching workers, which has been down three injured starters a lot of the season, has regressed considerably the final six weeks. As a outcome, the bullpen has dealt with a heavy workload, which is why Brown stated Tuesday the membership’s principal pursuits on the Trade Deadline are a beginning pitcher and a reliever.
The Astros would nonetheless like so as to add a left-handed bat previous to the Deadline, however getting Alvarez and Altuve again within the lineup is greater than any commerce acquisition.
