The Houston Astros have spent the entirety of the 2025 season short-handed, weathering a wave of key injuries across both the starting rotation and position player group.

No absence has loomed larger than that of Yordan Alvarez, who has been sidelined with a lingering right-hand issue since May 5.

The 28-year-old slugger has seen his return timeline repeatedly pushed back as the season has unfolded-first when the initial diagnosis revealed a fracture rather than a strain, and later when inflammation became so severe he couldn't grip a bat without pain.

Despite his prolonged absence, the Astros have continued to thrive, a testament to the depth and resilience of their roster. Houston enters Sunday with a 69–54 record and a 1.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West.

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