Overview

• Alvarez was placed on the injured list May 3 for right-hand inflammation and initial scans on May 6 failed to detect a small fourth metacarpal fracture that surfaced on May 31
• The fracture is about 60 percent healed and Alvarez has been restricted from batting while still participating in running and outfield drills
• After facing live pitching ahead of Houston’s series with the Rays, discomfort prompted a follow-up MRI that halted his swing progression
• General manager Dana Brown said Alvarez will avoid surgery and that the club anticipates his return in the near future once healing is complete
• Fans have criticized the Astros’ diagnostic delays and called for medical and front office changes, drawing parallels to last year’s Kyle Tucker misdiagnosis