The provided text discusses the Houston Astros’ situation regarding Yordan Alvarez‘s injury adn thier upcoming trade deadline priorities. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
Yordan Alvarez’s Injury and Recovery:
Extended Absence: Alvarez has been out since May 2nd, a stretch of 66 games.
Initial Diagnosis: He was initially diagnosed with a muscle strain in his right hand.
Setbacks: He has experienced two setbacks during his recovery.
Fracture Revealed: Further imaging showed a “small” fracture near his fourth metacarpal.
Current Status: He hasn’t swung a bat as June 29th after experiencing a recurrence of pain during live batting practice.
optimism from Team: Team officials are optimistic he’ll return this season. He received injections from a hand specialist, and the team stated the pain is unrelated to the fracture, calling it “encouraging news.”
Concerns about Full Strength: Despite optimism, his recovery trajectory raises concerns about his ability to play at full strength this season.
pre-Injury Performance: Before his injury, Alvarez’s performance was below his usual standards (.210/.306/.340 slash line), possibly due to the injured hand.
Trade Deadline Expectation: The article suggests that the Astros should not expect Alvarez to contribute at full strength by the trade deadline.Trade deadline Priorities:
the Dilemma: The Astros need to decide whether to prioritize pitching or a left-handed bat at the trade deadline, as acquiring both might be challenging due to limited prospect capital.
Pitching concerns:
The team’s performance without their aces (hunter brown and Framber Valdez) highlights the vulnerability of the rotation.
Rookie pitchers have performed adequately, but their ability to handle high-stakes playoff games is uncertain.
The team also faces questions about the health of other pitchers like Arrighetti, France, Javier, and Garcia.
need for a Left-Handed Bat:
General Manager Dana Brown has expressed a strong desire for a left-handed bat.
The Astros’ lineup is one of the most unbalanced in baseball, with very few at-bats from left-handed hitters.
This imbalance is attributed to Alvarez’s absence and roster construction.
Adding a left-handed hitter could platoon in the outfield or play second base, directly upgrading the lineup.
Alvarez’s historical success against left-handed pitching would be less impactful if he’s the only left-handed threat in an or else all-right-handed lineup.
In essence, the Astros are in a precarious position. They are hoping for Alvarez’s return but can’t rely on him being at his best. This forces them to consider whether to address their pitching depth or bolster their anemic left-handed hitting presence at the trade deadline.
