Houston Astros get deflating injury update on Yordan Alvarez

The Houston Astros are dealt a huge blow to their batting order with the season-ending injury to Yordan Alvarez.

After a downright brutal start to the 2020 season, the Houston Astros have finally turned their luck around, as they’ve won seven of their last 10 games. This all comes even with Jose Altuve in a slump and Justin Verlander on the sidelines with a right forearm injury. But as of Wednesday, Houston officially has a problem.

Manager Dusty Baker revealed that designated hitter and 2019 AL Rookie of the Year Yordan Alvarez is set to undergo surgery for a partial tear of the patella tendon in his right knee next week. His second MLB season is officially over.

Astros could use the pop in the lineup that Alvarez’s power delivers

Baker revealed to the media this past Monday that Alvarez told him his knee issues have troubled him ever since he played Double-A ball. Even in his impressive rookie campaign last year, Alvarez dealt with said knee ailment.

Alvarez missed Astros summer camp due to testing positive for COVID-19, where he was placed on the injured list. He was just reinstated this past Friday but was placed back on the list on Tuesday due to right knee discomfort. In just two games against the Seattle Mariners, Alvarez recorded two hits and four RBI in eight at-bats.

The Astros were excited to finally get Alvarez back into the starting lineup last week and for good reason. As of this writing, the team has a cumulative batting average of .233 (20th in the league), .390 slugging percentage (23rd) and a .710 OPS (23rd) this season, per ESPN. In his rookie season, Alvarez slashed .313/.412/.655 with 27 home runs, 98 hits and 78 RBI.

Houston now has to find a new power source in their lineup. Whether that’s by finding a bat in the dugout, their alternate site, or on the trading block. If they want to make a push for the World Series this year, they need to do find a slugger. If not, they’ll be in trouble.