Astros Announce Exciting Yordan Alvarez Update Before Mariners Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Sep 21, 2025 8:04 PM ET

The Houston Astros have had plenty of talented offensive players over the last few seasons, but outfielder Yordan Alvarez is one of the most versatile. The 28-year-old can hit for contact and power, as he owns a career slash line of .297/.389/.573 with 170 homers and 493 RBIs over 677 games.

Alvarez has hit over 30 homers in each of the past four seasons and notched a .300-plus batting average in two of the last four. The 6-foot-4-inch. 237-pounder is also just as productive in the playoffs, slashing .294/.393/.551 with 12 homers and 41 RBIs over 60 contests.

However, Alvarez has played just 48 games this year and is on the 10-day IL with an ankle injury. The veteran also landed on the IL with a hand ailment on May 5 and returned on August 26.

Luckily for the Astros, general manager Dana Brown offered a silver lining about Alvarez before Sunday night's bout with the Seattle Mariners, via the team's pregame show on SportsTalk970.

Brown said there's an "outside chance" that Alvarez could return in the final regular-season series against the Los Angeles Angels. Alvarez also said that he's progressing well and can walk without a protective boot, via McTaggart.

Houston entered Sunday night two games behind the Mariners atop the AL West and a half-game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians for the third and final AL wild card spot. Alvarez's return in the Angels series could be the difference between making or missing the playoffs, but McTaggart also said his return "doesn't seem likely."

The Astros must prepare to be without Alvarez for the rest of the regular season regardless, but the organization and fans can hope for the best amid a tight playoff race.

On the team’s pregame radio show on @SportsTalk790, GM Dana Brown said there’s an “outside chance” Yordan Alvarez could return in the final series against the Angels.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) September 21, 2025

Astros Have Little Margin for Error

If Houston loses on Sunday, it'll once again be out of playoff positioning, as Cleveland has the tiebreaker due to head-to-head record. In that case, it would need to perform better than the Guardians over the final six games.

Luckily for the Astros, they're facing two losing teams to end the season. They're off on Monday before starting a road series against the 73-83 Athletics on Tuesday and another one against the 70-86 Angels on Friday.

However, Houston is losing the season series against the Athletics 6-4, so it can't underestimate them. They have a dangerous lineup featuring shortstop Jacob Wilson (.315 batting average), first baseman Nick Kurtz (33 homers), and outfielder Brent Rookier (162 hits).

Right-handed pitcher Cristian Javier (2-3, 4.45 ERA) will start for the Astros against Athletics southpaw Jeffrey Springs (10-11, 4.17 ERA) on Tuesday night.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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