Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez celebrates after hitting a single against the Detroit Tigers on April 29 at Daikin Park. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Seattle Mariners Biggest Rivals Activate All-Star Slugger Off Injured List

Originally posted on Seattle Mariners on SI
By Teren Kowatsch | Last updated Aug 26, 2025 9:15 PM ET

The Seattle Mariners are in the middle of the final stretch of the regular season. Entering Tuesday, the Mariners have 30 more games left to play and trail the Houston Astros by 1.5 games in the American League West.

If Seattle wins the AL West, it will be its first division title since 2001. But the task of supplanting Houston in the division potentially got more difficult than it already was.

The Astros activated outfielder Yordan Alvarez off the injured list ahead of a game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday. He'll hit cleanup and be play left field in his first game back.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/EGJxbW6Yap
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 26, 2025

Alvarez has been on the injured list since May 5 (retroactive to May 3) due to a right hand fracture and inflammation. He scored seven runs in 29 games and hit four doubles and three home runs with 18 RBIs. He slashed .210/.306/.340 with a .646 OPS before his injury.

Welcome back, Yordan Alvarez!

(via @Mastercard #BallparkCam) pic.twitter.com/WvLToVJOqt
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 26, 2025

The three-time All-Star (2022-24) has been one of the Houston's best players since making his major league debut in 2019. He was the American League Championship Series MVP in 2021. He's been one of the biggest thorns in the Mariners' side in the last seven seasons.

In 62 games against Seattle, Alvarez has scored 37 runs and has hit 17 doubles, one triple and 15 home runs with 58 RBIs. He's slashed .312/.401/.589 with a .989 OPS. He hit for the cycle against the Mariners on July 21, 2024.

John Froschauer-Imagn Images

Seattle and Houston will play in a three-game series from Sept. 19-21 at Daikin Park. The Mariners and Astros are 5-5 against each other in the season series.

This article first appeared on Seattle Mariners on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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