Overview

• The Astros reinstated the slugger from the injured list before Tuesday's series opener against the Rockies, his first MLB appearance since May 2.
• He is starting in left field and batting fourth, with infielder Brice Matthews optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land to clear a roster spot.
• Alvarez completed a four-game rehab stint at Double-A Corpus Christi, going 7-for-15 with four doubles while splitting time between designated hitter and left field.
• The hand issue was first labeled a muscle strain before imaging revealed a small fourth metacarpal fracture; a July 1 setback tied to inflammation prompted two injections and a shutdown.
• Houston began the day 1.5 games ahead of Seattle with 31 games left after ranking 11th in OPS and wRC+ during Alvarez's roughly 100-game absence.