Astros Trade Deadline Plans Include Adding Left-Handed Hitter

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Graves | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 4:38 PM ET

With Yordan Álvarez sidelined with a fractured hand since May 2, the Houston Astros are noticeably light on left-handed offense.

On the pregame radio show (790 AM), general manager Dana Brown called adding a left-handed bat the “big issue” facing the Astros.

"It's no secret, it'd be good to get a left-handed bat. No doubt about that. That's the big thing for us. We're having discussions about other things, but the one big issue for us, it'd be nice to get a left-handed bat.

Brown's comments, quoted by The Athletic's Chandler Rome and reported by Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, reflect Houston's ongoing lineup balance.

The Astros have logged 171 plate appearances by left-handed hitters, the fewest in MLB by a wide margin. The Los Angeles Angels, who rank second-fewest, have nearly twice that total (331). Every other team has at least 700.

The lack of left-handed options has allowed opponents to consistently use right-handed pitching, limiting matchups for a team that leads the majors with a .811 OPS against left-handers but struggles more against right-handers.

Much of the imbalance stems from Alvarez's injury. Since then, Switch-hitter Victor Caratini has been the Astros' most consistent left-handed presence. Brief help came from Jacob Melton, a left-handed hitting outfield prospect, but he landed on the injured list after 11 games.

Brown said Alvarez has not yet resumed hitting, but may start swinging again "in the near future." Until then, the Astros are expected to explore trade options to reinforce the lineup with a left-handed bat.

The team could also pursue starting pitching, but Brown suggested rotation reinforcements may come internally as injured starters return in the second half.

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

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