Astros place Yordan Alvarez on IL with right hand inflammation.
The Houston Astros’ sluggish start at the plate just got more complicated. Slugger Yordan Alvarez has been placed on the 10-day injured list with inflammation in his right hand, the team announced Monday ahead of their series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The move is retroactive to Saturday, following Alvarez’s absence from the final two games of the weekend set against the Chicago White Sox. The three-time All-Star has struggled to find his power stroke early in the year, logging just seven extra-base hits and three home runs, a steep drop for a hitter typically central to Houston’s offensive engine.
The loss couldn’t come at a worse time for the Astros, whose offense is already sputtering. Entering Monday, they ranked near the bottom of the league in slugging percentage (.370) and had managed only 29 homers across the board.
In response, the club called up catcher César Salazar from Triple-A Sugar Land to fill the vacant roster spot. While Salazar isn’t expected to replace Alvarez’s production, his presence gives manager Joe Espada more flexibility with his lineup, particularly behind the plate. With Salazar on the bench, both Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini can be used more freely, including as designated hitters on their non-catching days.
Salazar, a left-handed bat, has been slashing just .197 in Triple-A but did log 12 games with the Astros last season. His addition also allows Espada to pinch-run or pinch-hit more aggressively for his catchers late in games, knowing he has a third option behind the plate.
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Caratini figures to pick up some of the DH responsibilities in Alvarez’s absence, while Zach Dezenzo, who has seen time in left field, may also factor into the mix, offering some backup for Jose Altuve and additional lineup coverage.
At the moment, Yordan Alvarez is on the 10-day injured list with right-hand inflammation. The earliest he can be back is on May 13.
As the Astros wait for Alvarez’s return, they’ll need to patch together production from a lineup still searching for rhythm.
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