Alvarez went 0-for-3 in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.
Alvarez took his first at-bats of the exhibition season after dealing with a hand injury for much of camp. While he was hitless, he managed to make loud contact on a few balls that traveled deep to center field. Most importantly, Alvarez made it out of the game healthy and will turn his focus toward Opening Day.
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Astros' Yordan Alvarez: In LF for spring debut Thursday
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Alvarez (hand) is in left field and batting leadoff for the Astros in Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Nationals, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
It will be the spring debut for Alvarez, who has been slowed by nagging soreness in his left hand. He's in the leadoff spot presumably in hopes that he can get in an extra plate appearance before calling it a day. Alvarez is working with a tight window to knock the rust off, but the expectation is that he'll be ready for Opening Day.
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Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Poised for spring debut Thursday
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Astros manager Dusty Baker said that Alvarez (hand) will make his Grapefruit League debut Thursday against the Nationals, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Alvarez has been out all spring while dealing with nagging soreness in his left hand, an issue similar to what he experienced in both hands at times during the 2022 season. The Astros seem to be taking extra precaution with Alvarez this spring, but fantasy managers still must have some level of concern about the slugger's ability to hold up all season. Alvarez will have a week to knock the rust off before Opening Day, but all signs point to him avoiding a stint on the injured list.
Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters Sunday that Alvarez (hand) could play in a Grapefruit League game next week, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Baker said that Alvarez is currently ahead of Michael Brantley (shoulder) in terms of getting into a game. The Astros have a day off Monday before playing six games in the Grapefruit League, and Baker believes that the slugger could get into action in the middle of that stretch. There are still some obstacles to climb, but there's a very good chance that Alvarez will be ready for the start of the regular season.
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Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Taking on-field batting practice
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Alvarez (hand) will take batting practice on the field Friday for the first time this spring, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Alvarez has been hitting in the batting cage without issue for several days and is ready to test his sore hand out on the field. Assuming things go well, he should be ready to play in games soon. There's been no indication from the Astros yet that Alvarez could be in danger of not being ready for Opening Day, but the window for the slugger to get ready is closing.
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Feels good after hitting in cage
Rotowire
Alvarez (hand) was able to hit soft toss in the batting cage Sunday and felt good, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Alvarez has taken swings in the cage two of the last three days, and both times the slugger has felt fine after the session. He's recovering from soreness in his left hand, and while the team has framed his absence from Grapefruit League precautionary, it's late enough in the spring season to grow concerned that he may not be ready to play on Opening Day. Astros manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that it's "still the plan" for Alvarez to be ready for the start of the season, however, and it's encouraging that he's feeling better swinging the bat at this stage.
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Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Opening Day 'still the plan'
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Manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that it's "still the plan" for Alvarez (hand) to be ready for Opening Day, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
He took swings in the batting cage Friday and the skipper's comments suggest Alvarez emerged from that session just fine. While more hand issues are concerning after he dealt with similar injuries last season, his time away from baseball activities seems precautionary in large part -- at least that's the way the team is framing it.
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Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Takes swings in batting cage
Rotowire
Alvarez (hand) took swings in a batting cage Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
It's a big step for the slugger as he works his way back from nagging left hand soreness. A clear timetable for Alvarez hasn't been provided to this point, but there's been no indication he could be in jeopardy of missing Opening Day. Alvarez dealt with soreness in both hands off and on last season.
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Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Timeline bumped back up
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Alvarez (hand) is expected to resume swinging Friday or Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Alvarez has yet to swing a bat this spring, though general manager Dana Brown said he is currently pain free. Alvarez's exact timetable to resume baseball activity has been a moving target, though this latest development is a positive for the slugger's outlook. Assuming he remains on track, Alvarez is expected to be ready for Opening Day.
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Aiming to swing bat next week
Rotowire
Alvarez (hand) is hoping to resume swinging a bat next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday he was hoping Alvarez would be ready to swing a bat by this weekend, but apparently it will take a little longer than that. It does not appear at this point that Alvarez had a setback, but the team clearly wants to make sure the slugger's nagging hand soreness is behind him before he ramps things up again. There's been no indication that the injury could affect Alvarez's Opening Day availability, but it's certainly an uneasy feeling seeing him miss so much time.
