The Houston Astros are in the middle of a tight American League West race and can ill-afford any injuries, but one of their best hitters exited Monday’s 6-3 win over the Texas Rangers.
Houston announced left fielder Yordan Alvarez suffered a left ankle sprain and was removed from the game.
Alvarez, who will undergo an MRI on Tuesday, was seen leaving the team’s clubhouse with a boot on his left foot and with the assistance of a crutch, per ESPN.
“It did not look good out on the field,” Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters.
Astros insider Daniel Meyer noted Alvarez scored standing up on a play before leaving but slipped on home plate, which caused his left leg to buckle.
“I saw him coming around, and when he stepped on home plate, I had a front-row seat,” Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena told reporters. “His ankle kind of twisted, then when he went to plant again, I saw it twist again. It’s not pretty. You don’t want to see that.”
The Astros put Zach Cole into the game for Alvarez and made some adjustments in the field. Cole went into right field, while Jesús Sánchez moved from right field to left.
Houston entered play just one game behind the Seattle Mariners for first place in the AL West and two games ahead of the Rangers for the final American League wild-card spot. Every game seemingly takes on additional importance at this time of year, and the Astros’ lineup will not be nearly as formidable if Alvarez is sidelined moving forward.
His resume includes a World Series title, Rookie of the Year, American League Championship Series MVP, three All-Star Game nods and a Silver Slugger, but injuries have largely prevented him from adding onto his list of accomplishments this year.
Alvarez was sidelined from May 2 until Aug. 26 because of a fractured right hand, which is the primary reason he has just six home runs on the year after launching more than 30 in each of the last four seasons.
Houston is surely hoping that familiar power returns down the stretch, but another injury would be a significant road block with just two weeks of games remaining.
Those are critical contests as well, as next up for the Astros after the three-game series with the Rangers is a three-game set against the Mariners. Those head-to-head results could determine the division and final wild-card spot.
Whether Alvarez is available for the rest of that stretch could also go a long way toward determining the races.
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