YORDAN ALVAREZ NEWS

Making spring debut Alvarez (knees) will serve as the Astros' designated hitter and will bat fifth in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle repo...

Impact The 23-year-old slugger will be making his long-awaited spring debut in what marks his first game action since mid-August after a lengthy recovery from bilateral arthroscopic knee surgery. Per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, manager Dusty Baker said he expects Alvarez to receive only 2-to-3 plate appearances Sunday before checking out of the contest, but the 2019 American League Rookie of the Year should be able to play a full game by the time the Astros' Grapefruit League slate concludes. Given Alvarez's past knee issues, the Astros are expected to limit his defensive work throughout the spring, and if he does get on the field, he'll most likely play first base rather than the corner outfield. Because he played exclusively as a DH in his brief 2020 campaign, Alvarez may not carry eligibility in the outfield in certain fantasy leagues.

MARCH 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Notes: Alvarez to debut Sunday; Báez TBD WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Astros manager Dusty Baker said Yordan Alvarez, the 2019 American League Rookie of the Year who missed all but two...

MARCH 12, 2021 • MLB.COM

On track for Sunday Alvarez (knee) is scheduled to start at designated hitter in Sunday's spring game against the Cardinals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact The 23-year-old will make his spring debut Sunday after being limited to two games last season and ramping up his rehab work through the first few weeks of camp. Alvarez isn't expected to see any work in the outfield this season due to the knee issues, so he could operate exclusively as a designated hitter.

MARCH 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Could play early next week Alvarez (knee) could get into game action early next week, Mark Berman of KRIV Fox 26 reports.

Impact Alvarez's incredible .313/.412/.655 slash line in his 87-game debut back in 2019 indicates the massive boost he could provide both the Astros and fantasy teams if he can just stay on the field. His knees are already rather poor for a player who's merely 23 years old, however, as they limited him to two games last season. The Astros are bringing him along cautiously this spring, but he's at least trending in the right direction and could get into game action with two weeks to spare before the start of the regular season.

MARCH 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

MLB injury outlooks and timelines for Yordan Álvarez, Trey Mancini and 7 more impact hitters Yordan Álvarez and Luke Voit are just two of the hitters Virginia Zakas updates as they come back from injury or surgery.

MARCH 5, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Expert health reports on Yordan Álvarez, Trey Mancini and 7 more hitters returning from injury, illness or surgery Yordan Álvarez and Luke Voit are just two of the hitters Virginia Zakas updates as they come back from injury or surgery.

MARCH 5, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Takes batting practice Wednesday Alvarez (knee) participated in on-field batting practice Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Alvarez has been increasing his workload over the past several days, and he participated in batting practice for the first time this spring. He could spend some time playing first base this spring if he's fully healthy, but the 23-year-old should serve as the primary designated hitter for the Astros during the regular season if he recovers from his knee injury.

MARCH 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Increases workload Houston manager Dusty Baker said Alvarez (knee) has increased his workload since joining the team last week for on-field practices, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Alvarez has not yet taken batting practice or fielding practice, although the Astros don't plan to use him in the field often. If he's healthy, Alvarez will be Houston's primary designated hitter.

MARCH 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Yordan Alvarez at first base, the CF situation and more: Astros mailbag, Part 1 Does Alvarez have the skill set to play first base? What would success look like for Myles Straw? Answering a new batch of reader questions.

MARCH 1, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Could work at first base Alvarez (knee) will spend some time at first base during spring training if he's healthy, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Impact The Astros tried playing Alvarez at first base when he was in the minors, but the experiment never translated to major-league time at the position. While the team will test him out at first base once again this spring, it's not yet clear whether he'll be considered to play the position at any point during the regular season in 2021. The 23-year-old enters the season as a DH-only player and is "very unlikely" to play in the outfield this year, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

FEBRUARY 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Outfield work very unlikely Astros manager Dusty Baker suggested that it's "very unlikely" that Alvarez (knees) will play in the outfield this season, even if it's just for a game or two per week, Brian McTag...

Impact Alvarez already enters this season as a DH-only player, and while this news isn't really a surprise, it reinforces that he won't likely gain eligibility at another position this season. So long as his bat rebounds however, the 23-year-old will have more than enough fantasy value to compensate for any loss of roster flexibility.

FEBRUARY 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Runs with team Alvarez (knee) stretched and ran with his teammates Thursday but did not take batting practice, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Alvarez's knee issues limited him to just two games last season, and the fact that they're still limiting him to start camp this year doesn't seem like a good sign. It's possible the Astros are simply treating him with extreme caution with Opening Day still over a month away, and it's a positive that he's at least able to participate in some activities, but it's hard to be too confident in his health until he gets into game action.

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bregman 'tweaks' hamstring; Alvarez limited Astros manager Dusty Baker said third baseman Alex Bregman has yet to work out on the field this spring because he “tweaked” his hamstring,...

FEBRUARY 24, 2021 • MLB.COM

Not cleared for on-field work Astros manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that Alvarez (knees) has not yet been cleared for on-field work at spring training, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Baker suggested that Alvarez was being held out of workouts in a pre-planned arrangement as he recovers from the arthroscopic procedures he required on both of his knees in August, so the 23-year-old isn't believed to be dealing with any sort of setback. The Astros will likely ramp up Alvarez slowly throughout the spring with the goal of having him ready to serve as the club's everyday designated hitter when Opening Day arrives. Alvarez made just nine plate appearances in 2020 before being shut down with the dual knee injury.

FEBRUARY 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

AL West teams at the start of spring training

A team-by-team look at the American League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catcher...

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Progressing through running program Alvarez (knees) posted a video of himself running the bases on his personal Instagram account Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact The 23-year-old was running on an anti-gravity treadmill in mid-October, and he's continued to progress his running program over the past couple months. Alvarez underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees in late August, and it's a good sign to see him on the basepaths with no obvious limitations. There's still a couple months before the start of spring training, and Alvarez is expected to be ready by that point.

DECEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Astros top Rockies 2-1 in 11; Greinke, Senzatela fine thru 9

Myles Straw’s RBI single with one out in the 11th inning lifted the Houston Astros over the Colorado Rockies 2-1 and extended their winning streak to a season-high six games

AUGUST 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Astros place Alvarez (right knee) on IL The Astros placed slugger Yordan Alvarez, the 2019 American League Rookie of the Year, on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with discomfort...

AUGUST 18, 2020 • MLB.COM

Lands on injured list Alvarez was placed on the 10-day injured list with right knee discomfort Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact It certainly hasn't been the sophomore season Alvarez dreamed of thus far. After missing all of camp due to COVID-19 and spending the first part of the regular season building up at the Astros' alternate training site, the young slugger lasted just two days into his return before the knee issues he battled back in spring training returned. He last played Saturday, so he'll be eligible to return Aug. 26, though it's not yet clear if he's expected to do so. Taylor Jones was recalled in a corresponding move and could be an option as the designated hitter, though Abraham Toro has handled the position in Alvarez's absence and will likely continue to do so.

AUGUST 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Tuesday Alvarez (knee) remains on the bench Tuesday against the Rockies, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Impact Alvarez played just two games this season before the knee issues that plagued him back in spring training resurfaced. He's now set to sit for the third straight contest. The young slugger underwent an MRI on Monday which came back negative, but it remains unclear when he's expected back on the field. Abraham Toro will be the designated hitter in his absence Tuesday.

AUGUST 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes MRI Alvarez (knee) underwent an MRI on Monday, and the results were negative, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports.

Impact That the results were negative is promising, but the power-hitting Alvarez is not necessarily on the mend. "I asked him when did he start having these problems, and he said back in Double-A," Houston manager Dusty Baker said. "Most of the time when you have knee problems, they don't subside very quickly. And when they do, they have a history of coming back." Alvarez could be available in a pinch-hitting role in the short term.

AUGUST 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Greinke expected to start as Houston hosts Colorado

The Houston Astros host the Colorado Rockies

AUGUST 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Remains sidelined Alvarez (knee) will remain on the bench Monday against the Rockies, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Alvarez lasted just two games in his return from the COVID-19 injured list before the knee soreness he battled back in spring training popped back up, and he's now been on the bench for two straight games. It's not clear when he'll return to the lineup. Abraham Toro will remain the designated hitter in his absence.

AUGUST 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Bielak expected to start as Houston hosts Colorado

The Houston Astros host the Colorado Rockies

AUGUST 17, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tucker hits game-ending homer as Astros sweep Mariners 3-2

Kyle Tucker hit a game-ending homer in the ninth inning, and the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 3-2 for their fourth straight win

AUGUST 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS