"Getting Progressively Worse": Hand Injury Lands Astros Slugger On IL

The Houston Astros have a massive 12 game lead atop the NL West division, but nevertheless, losing their top hitter, and one of the best in all of baseball, hurts. 

Astros star Yordan Alvarez is headed to the IL due to a hand injury, the team announced Sunday.

The left fielder is slashing .306/.405/.653 with 26 home runs this season—third-most in MLB.https://t.co/Sqq2kl4hEJ

— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) July 10, 2022

Yordan Alvarez heads to the 10-day injured list with a hand injury that, according to manager Dusty Baker, has "been getting progressively worse." Yikes. 

The injury had bothered him back in June as well, and after missing a few games then, he's tried playing through it. But now, a few weeks later, it has not only lingered, but become even more of a problem, so the team is hoping that getting him a few days' rest, and then the All-Star Break, can help calm it. They hope to have him back for a big series with the New York Yankees right after the break.

Alvarez recently signed a 6-year, $115M extension with the Astros, and had been on fire ever since signing it, raising his average to a season-high .321 and 1.081 OPS just a couple of weeks back. But the hand injury has been taking its toll, though his numbers are still phenomenal, sitting at .306 with a 1.058 OPS. His 26 home runs are 3rd-best in the majors, and his 60 RBIs are tied for 6th. 

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