Overview

• General manager Dana Brown said Alvarez’s rehab is paused indefinitely and he will undergo specialist imaging within 48 hours to determine if surgery is necessary.
• Alvarez reported renewed soreness in the area of his fourth metacarpal after taking dry swings at the team’s Florida complex.
• Shortstop Jeremy Peña was placed on the 10-day injured list June 28 with a fractured left rib and is being monitored on a day-to-day basis.
• Houston has leaned on depth pieces like Jose Altuve, Isaac Paredes and Victor Caratini to sustain a six-game AL West lead despite ranking 20th in runs scored.
• With Alvarez’s timeline now unclear, the Astros’ search for a left-handed hitter before the July trade deadline has taken on added urgency.