The Houston Astros have been riding a rollercoaster lately, and injuries have played a major part in that uneven stretch. With a staggering 13 players currently on the injured list, Houston has found itself sliding from its early-season stride and right back into a neck-and-neck race with the Seattle Mariners atop the AL West. It’s been a test of depth and resilience for a team that’s become synonymous with late-season success.

But no absence has loomed larger than Yordan Álvarez’s. The power-hitting cornerstone of Houston’s lineup fractured his hand back in early May and has been sidelined ever since, sitting on the 60-day injured list.

Losing a bat like Álvarez’s is never just about filling a spot in the order – it’s about trying to replace the kind of fear he instills in opposing pitchers every time he steps to the plate. That’s not something you can replicate with a platoon or a call-up.

So here’s the welcome news Astros fans have been waiting to hear: Álvarez is taking a key step toward returning to action. He’s scheduled to head to West Palm Beach and take live batting practice over the weekend of August 16.

It doesn’t mean we’ll see him in the big leagues right away, but it does mark a significant milestone in his recovery. Swinging against live pitching is typically one of the final checkpoints before a rehab assignment – and in a season where timelines for injured players have often been murky, any clarity is big news.

Getting Álvarez back isn’t just about adding another bat. It’s about restoring balance to a lineup that’s been stretched thin. His presence in the middle of the order can flip a game on its head in a single swing, and with the postseason looming, his return could be the difference between a tight division run and a strong finish.

That said, caution remains key. Broken bones – especially in the hands – can be tricky, and the sting from pushing too hard, too soon is something no contender wants to mess with.

After months off, it’s just as important to gradually get his timing back as it is to make sure his hand holds up through game-speed intensity. Baseball’s rhythm isn’t something you can simulate in a cage.

This next phase of on-field progression will be less about stat lines and more about checkpoints: how he feels swinging consistently, how he bounces back the next day, and ultimately how confident both Álvarez and the training staff are in his ability to handle Major League velocity.

The Astros, for all their inconsistencies this season, know what the finish line looks like – and they know Álvarez is a major part of how they get there. His bat has sparked October runs before. If this return path stays steady and timed right, there’s no reason it can’t do so again.