Houston Astros left fielder Yordan Alvarez. Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Astros set to get big boost for stretch run

By Joe Rutland | Last updated Aug 25, 2025 9:47 AM ET

Reinforcements appear to be on the way for the Houston Astros, and it couldn't happen at a better time.

Slugger Yordan Alvarez has not been in the Astros lineup since May 2. But Alvarez put together a successful rehab stint at the Astros Double-A club in Corpus Christi, Texas. In four games, Alvarez hit .467 with two walks, four doubles and four RBI. He went 7-for-15 at the plate, and Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that there is a "strong possibility" Alvarez will make his return to the big club on Tuesday, via CBS sports.

Yordan Alvarez went 2-4 tonight for the @cchooks with a two-run double and three RBIs. Yordan is done for the night. The Astros need him to be doing this kind of damage in a Houston uniform.
pic.twitter.com/Z0zdIDj7xp
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) August 25, 2025

The Astros sit two games ahead of the Seattle Mariners in the American League West. After a 31-inning scoreless streak, the Astros found their hitting ways again in taking three of four games against the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend.

First baseman Christian Walker homered in three straight games against the Orioles. Getting Alvarez into the cleanup spot can let Espada move Walker into the No. 5 hole, providing a solid one-two punch.

Alvarez has hit some memorable homers for the Astros, including a game-winning, three-run home run against the Mariners off reliever Robbie Ray in the 2022 American League Division Series. Of course, Astros fans remember his three-run homer off Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jose Alvarado in Game 6 of the 2022 World Series.

The Astros open a 10-game homestand at Daikin Park on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies, followed by games agains the Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees. Getting Alvarez back now will be a welcome sight.

Joe Rutland

Joe Rutland has contributed articles on sports, entertainment, and business to digital platforms like Athlon Sports, The Sporting News, Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, The Good Men Project, and others. He's spent four decades in the communications industry as a journalist, editor, writer, and columnist. His sports areas of focus include MLB, NBA, college football, and WNBA

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