Notes for Astros Notes: Alvarez, Altuve and Tucker

Yordan Alvarez left today’s Astros loss against the Twins after getting hit in his leg by a pitch, with manager Joe Espada telling reporters (including MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart ) afterward that Alvarez is feeling sore as he treats what has been identified as right knee contusion but that no testing was performed by club or medical professionals on him.
Alvarez himself addressed reporters (including Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle ) after the game via interpreter, explaining he had already been struck on this spot in his knee a couple weeks earlier but inflammation from that earlier incident hadn’t completely gone away by today’s strike. Although Alvarez acknowledged feeling considerable pain following this afternoon’s matchup he suggested both himself and the club wait to assess how his status changes by tomorrow before making decisions regarding him and/or their decision regarding him as an option on their team.
Yesterday was not an isolated incident for Jose Altuve; Kawahara notes that after being hit in his wrist with a pitch during yesterday’s game he was removed from play immediately, though Kawahara does note x-ray results came back negative and that Altuve expected not to miss much time due to this injury; although today Espada informed reporters (including Kawahara ) that Altuve would still be available off of the bench as needed (with youngster Grae Kessinger taking over at designated DH).
Altuve’s performance this season in which he posted an impressive.310/.360/.466 (136 wRC+) line over 86 games as an Astro has surely brought relief to Houston fans as their club pursues Seattle in the AL West race. Unfortunately, Alvarez may even more important to their offense than previously believed. He has hit at an elite level this season slashing.300/.383/.548 with an outstanding 158 wRC+ that ranks ninth overall among 371 trips to bat in 2017. Alvarez and Altuve provide essential offense for an Astros team which has seen less offensive output from key contributors like Alex Bregman, Yainer Diaz and Chas McCormick than expected, so any shortcoming on either player would be greatly felt in terms of offensive production and any temporary absence for either would prove problematic.
While two of Houston’s star hitters are dealing with injuries, another one has begun making strides back. Espada told reporters today (including McTaggart ) that Kyle Tucker began doing some light running yesterday as part of his recovery from a shin contusion which has kept him on the injured list for about one month now. Tucker has also begun playing catch and hitting off a pitching machine again; Espada added that this step forward could result in him rejoining Houston after All Star break but even now this represents progress toward an eventual return he might make after returning. Espada informed reporters ( including McTaggart) that after their All Star break return Houston could greatly rely heavily upon Tucker!
Prior to being placed on the shelf last month, 27-year-old Tucker was enjoying his best season yet — even by comparison with his All-Star campaigns from 2022 and ’23. In 60 games prior to being injured, Tucker posted impressive stats: slashing an incredible.266/.395/.584 line while posting an outstanding 174 wRC+ in just 60 games this season (despite an unusually low BABIP of just.245); walking more times (17%) than striking out (15%) while collecting 19 homers out of 262 plate appearances prior to injury if healthy upon returning he will add key cog in Alvarez/Altuve has taken on additional responsibility that would normally come his way as soon as his absence has passed – perhaps adding yet another crucial cog into Alvarez/Altuve’s lineup while helping shoulder Alvarez/Altuve have taken upon since Alvarez/Altuve’s absence while Alvarez/Altruve have had their share in terms of hitting 19 homers while platting 15 strikeouts to hit 15 strikes out which makes up somewhat offset his BABIP overall line; with regards to hitting 19 home runs per 262 plate trips prior to going onto the bench (vs 146)/Baltuve could return him back into contention before going onto his return will help carry some load relief relief outhill/Altruve’s responsibility when his return in turn and Altuve have taken in his absence by taking their load since Alvarez have taken the load that must shoulder by adding 19 home runs since Alvarez has taken for missing due his absence in 262 plate time taken to catchup by BABIP held down slightly lower strikeout/walk ratio/15 when struck out against 15 when only 15 times against 15 so far against 19! but given Alvarez/ Altuve taken over 251; but hopefully Tucker add another key cog making more likely help off against Alvard more to contribute at least to play should add him off when on.