Overview

• Yordan Alvarez took batting practice on Thursday and is scheduled to face about 50 live pitches from minor leaguers on Friday.
• Astros manager Joe Espada described Alvarez’s health as the best he’s seen and called ongoing progress “really good news.”
• The team has opted for a controlled live-pitching drill instead of a minor-league rehab assignment to prepare Alvarez for game action.
• Alvarez’s right hand injury was first treated as inflammation and later diagnosed as a muscle strain, prompting a cautious recovery timeline.
• During Alvarez’s nearly month-long absence, Houston’s offense ranked fifth in OPS and second in weighted runs created-plus since May 3.