2 min read • July 21, 2022
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Astros' general manager James Click said on SportsTalk 790 that all-star slugger Yordan Alvarez will be activated off of the 10-day IL and play in Thursday's make-up doubleheader against the Yankees.
The Pro Baseball Docs remain steadfast that the likely hamate bone injury will continue to hamper the 24-year-old and he will need surgery to repair the lingering right hand discomfort. He has an SIC score of 67 for the second half of the MLB season.
Alvarez initially suffered the injury to the base of his right hand on a swing producing a groundout on June 18 but returned after one missed game.
The lumbering lefty was placed on the IL on July 10 after his right hand inflammation flared up and caused a dip in his hitting stats and a rise in his strikeout rate over the 16 games in between, notching more strikeouts (18) than hits (16).
Additionally, as a right-handed thrower, he could face fielding limitations that are exaggerated by the absence of veteran DH and outfielder Michael Brantley.
The Pro Baseball Docs assert that Alvarez will need more than a 10-day absence to adequately heal his injury, even if he doesn't elect for a surgical approach.
The likeliest non-surgical outcome is that Alvarez's hand soreness will worsen while his batting average and strikeout rate each follow suit, at which point Houston realizes he needs surgery.
The hook of hamate removal generally requires a 6-to-8 week recovery period.
FanDuel Sportsbook has projected Alvarez's season HR over/under at 38.5, only 13 more than his current mark of 26, and he is a +2000 underdog to lead MLB in bombs.
A hook of hamate surgery or extended IL stint would likely ensure Alvarez would stay under the 38.5 over/under.
Alvarez has hit 12 home runs in the 16 games since the hamate bone injury, but four of the 12 came in the three games after returning.
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#Astros GM James Click on @SSalisburyShow on @SportsTalk790 said the expectation is for Yordan Alvarez to play tomorrow. He’ll hit on the field today at MMP & go from there.
