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The Houston Astros entered the final week of September clinging to postseason hopes, but the latest update on Yordan Alvarez from the Houston Chronicle gave no guarantee their superstar slugger will play when it matters most. Alvarez, sidelined with a left ankle sprain, said he has made progress but has not resumed baseball activity. His comments left open the possibility of a return for the Astros’ season-ending series in Anaheim, though that scenario remains far from certain.

Alvarez’s Injury Timeline

Alvarez sprained his ankle last Monday while crossing home plate against the Texas Rangers, an incident manager Joe Espada called a “pretty significant” injury. Alvarez no longer wears a protective boot and walks without assistance, but the Astros continue to proceed with caution. He will stay in Houston for treatment and strength work instead of traveling with the team on the opening leg of its current road trip.

His 10-day injured list stint, retroactive to Sept. 16, makes him eligible to return Friday against the Angels. Still, neither Alvarez nor Espada committed to that target. “We’ll see where he’s at by the end of the road trip,” Espada told reporters. Alvarez, speaking through an interpreter, added: “Right now, we’re just trying to get the inflammation down as much as possible. It’s a step-by-step process.”

The Astros know this storyline too well. Injuries have already defined Alvarez’s 2025 campaign. He missed 100 games with a fractured right hand the team initially diagnosed as a muscle strain, finally returning in late August. Once healthy, he immediately transformed Houston’s lineup—slashing .369/.462/.569 in 19 games before the ankle injury struck. Just as the Astros need his bat most, they again face the possibility of moving forward without him.

What It Means for Houston’s Playoff Push

Houston’s playoff position makes Alvarez’s health even more critical. Entering Sunday, the Astros trailed in the American League Wild Card race and needed to leapfrog rivals to secure a berth. Their margin for error remains razor thin. Without Alvarez, they lose not only their most dangerous hitter but also the stabilizing presence around which their lineup revolves.

Even in limited action this season, Alvarez reminded everyone why pitchers fear him. His left-handed power alters bullpen strategies and forces managers into matchups that benefit Houston’s supporting bats. Without him, Espada must lean on depth players to deliver in spots few can handle consistently.

If Alvarez cannot return for the final series, the Astros must attempt to reach October without him, then quickly judge his readiness should they qualify. Even if he suits up in Anaheim, questions linger about how sharp he can be after weeks away from game speed.

Alvarez admitted the frustration of being sidelined again. “Right now, I just have to accept the fact that this is happening,” he said. “Obviously, it’s frustrating. I’m just going to leave it in God’s hands and see what happens.”

For Houston, what happens next may decide whether their season ends in late September or stretches into October with Alvarez back in the middle of the order.

Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly MLB. More about Alvin Garcia