May 4, 2025
Houston Astros designated hitter
Yordan Alvarez (hand) is "feeling better" but will remain sidelined on Sunday. Manager Joe Espada noted that Alvarez will likely not need imaging on his hand. This is a positive sign as it appears Alvarez is dealing with a minor injury. Fantasy managers should monitor his status leading up to their next game on Monday evening against the Milwaukee Brewers. This afternoon,
Yainer Diaz will shift to the DH spot, which opens a spot for
Victor Caratini to be behind the dish. Before his injury, Alvarez was having a slow start to the campaign, holding a modest .210/.306/.340 slash line with three home runs and one stolen base. However, under the hood, the slugger has generated an elite .495 xSLG and a .364 xwOBA, which are both well above the average marks. The Astros are worth targeting in DFS this afternoon, facing Chicago right-hander
Bryse Wilson.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chandler Rome
May 3, 2025
Houston Astros designated hitter
Yordan Alvarez (hand) has been scratched from the starting lineup on Saturday against the hosting Chicago White Sox due to inflammation in his right hand, according to manager Joe Espada. Alvarez hit in the cages earlier on Saturday and his hand didn't feel right, Espada said. Fantasy managers will be keeping their fingers crossed that this doesn't end up being a serious injury that forces Alvarez to the injured list. It could help explain why the 27-year-old Cuban slugger has been a disappointment early in 2025, though. Through his first 96 at-bats, he's slashing .219/.316/.354 with a below-average .670 OPS, only three home runs, 18 RBI, seven runs scored and one stolen base over 28 games. For now, remove the three-time All-Star from your lineups and check back on Sunday for more updates. If Alvarez misses more time,
Zach Dezenzo and
Chas McCormick could see more action.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
April 30, 2025
Houston Astros designated hitter
Yordan Alvarez and catcher
Yainer Diaz are resting in Wednesday's series finale against the visiting Detroit Tigers. Outfielder
Jose Altuve is serving as the DH and is batting second, while
Victor Caratini is doing the catching and hitting fifth against Tigers rookie right-hander
Jackson Jobe.
Zach Dezenzo is in left field and is hitting eighth. Alvarez had an undisclosed injury scare on Monday and was pulled early against Detroit, but he returned to action on Tuesday and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in the 6-4 victory. It's still early, but the three-time All-Star hasn't been his normal self in 2025 to this point with a .219/.316/.354 slash line and three homers in 96 at-bats. Diaz will get a breather after starting the last four games. He, too, has also struggled at the plate early on, going 17-for-91 (.187) with two homers, 12 RBI and eight runs scored for Houston.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 29, 2025
Houston Astros designated hitter
Yordan Alvarez (undisclosed) is back in the team's starting lineup on Tuesday and is batting third against the Detroit Tigers and right-hander
Reese Olson at Daikin Park. Alvarez exited Monday's game against the Tigers early after hitting a single in the seventh inning, but the Astros never gave an official injury designation for the 27-year-old All-Star. Obviously, the move to pull Alvarez in the series opener on Monday was precautionary, and fantasy managers will want to keep him in their starting lineups on Tuesday. Alvarez has gotten off to a poor start at the plate, especially considering his high standards, as he comes into Tuesday's contest with a .217/.319/.359 slash line, a .677 OPS and only three home runs in his 92 at-bats. The Cuban slugger should turn it around eventually. He has never faced Olson in his career.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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