Astros’ Yordan Alvarez Starts Rehab—Will He Return Before September?

By Oliver Wiener August 19, 2025 06:45

After a frustrating 3 ½ months sidelined by a fractured right hand, Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has begun his much-anticipated rehab assignment, signaling hope for a return before the crucial final month of the 2025 MLB season. Alvarez, a three-time All-Star and one of the game’s premiere power hitters, started his rehab with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks on Tuesday, as Astros manager Joe Espada confirmed. The question on every Astros fan's mind now is clear: will Alvarez be back in the Houston lineup before September?

Alvarez’s injury, a small fracture in his right hand first diagnosed in early May, has severely curtailed his 2025 campaign. Prior to the injury, the 28-year-old posted an uncharacteristic .210 batting average with three home runs and 18 RBIs across 29 games numbers that fall short of his typical dominance. Known for his thunderous power and consistent run production, Alvarez’s career slash line of .295/.387/.573, which includes averaging 41 homers and 119 RBIs per 162 games, highlights the impact his absence has had on the Astros lineup.

The rehab assignment with Corpus Christi is slated to span a few games, starting with Alvarez serving as the designated hitter before gradually increasing his game activity. Astros GM Dana Brown expressed cautious optimism regarding Alvarez’s timeline: “Yordan is progressing well and is expected to begin his rehab assignment this week. While we’re hopeful for a return before September, we want to ensure he’s fully healthy to contribute at his best.” The plan is for Alvarez to play Tuesday, rest Wednesday, then return for consecutive games Thursday and Friday, with his status to be reassessed thereafter.

Manager Joe Espada also emphasized a measured approach: “We want to bring him back right, not rushed. Yordan’s health is paramount. We know how much he means to this team, and we want him to be able to swing freely and fully confident when he returns.”

Alvarez’s return would come at a pivotal time for the Astros, who lead the AL West by just 1.5 games over the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers and are firmly in the playoff hunt. His power bat, patience at the plate, and ability to change a game with a single swing would provide a significant boost to an offense that has adapted admirably in his absence but remains starved for his impact.

While Alvarez’s power might initially be tempered as he shakes off rust, his presence in the batting order would not only energize Houston’s offense but could disrupt opposing pitchers’ approaches, benefitting the entire lineup. Baseball analyst Stephania Bell noted, “It’s not uncommon for players returning from hand injuries to have some early struggles with power, but Alvarez’s elite bat speed and natural talent suggest he will ramp up quickly.”

The Astros have shown patience throughout Alvarez’s recovery, opting to allow rest and rehab rather than rushing him back prematurely, a cautious strategy reflecting both concern for his long-term health and the depth of their playoff contention this season.

In the coming weeks, the MLB world will closely watch Alvarez’s performance in Double-A to gauge his readiness. Should all progress smoothly, fans could see the slugger back in Minute Maid Park before September, just in time to influence a tight playoff race.

For now, Astros faithful remain hopeful. The sight of Alvarez stepping once again onto the field, bat in hand, symbolizes more than just the return of a star it is a beacon of aspiration that the team’s pursuit of postseason glory remains very much alive.