Overview

• Additional scans revealed that inflammation, not the healing fourth metacarpal fracture, is the primary source of his hand discomfort.
• Alvarez received two hand injections on Wednesday and will be sidelined from all baseball activity for several days.
• Team doctors now consider the fracture a non-factor and plan to have him begin swinging a bat once swelling subsides.
• General manager Dana Brown said he felt encouraged by the new findings and believes the slugger is relieved by the update.
• Alvarez has been on the injured list since May 2, leaving Houston to adjust its lineup while maintaining a lead in the American League West.