HOUSTON, TX – July 17, 2025 – Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has been sidelined for a significant portion of the 2025 season due to a right-hand injury that evolved from initial soreness to a discovered fracture, a journey that has underscored the complexities of diagnosing and managing athlete ailments.
The issues for Alvarez, 27, reportedly began in late April 2025, when he first experienced pain in his right hand while swinging the bat during a game. Known for his propensity to play through minor discomfort, Alvarez continued to play for several days, attributing the sensation to typical soreness he had experienced previously in his career.
However, the pain persisted, and Alvarez was ultimately scratched from the Astros’ lineup prior to their May 3rd game against the Chicago White Sox. He was then officially placed on the 10-day injured list on May 5th, with the initial diagnosis being right hand inflammation and a muscle strain. An MRI conducted on May 6th did not reveal any fractures at that time, likely due to swelling in the affected area.
Alvarez later indicated that playing through the initial pain likely exacerbated the issue, putting further stress on his hand. This proved to be a critical factor, as further imaging and evaluation at the end of May revealed the true nature of the injury. On May 31st, the Astros announced that Alvarez had a “very small fracture” of the fourth metacarpal, the bone leading to his ring finger, and that it was approximately 60% healed at that point. This discovery confirmed that the initial inflammation had masked the underlying structural damage.
Since the fracture diagnosis, Alvarez has faced further challenges in his recovery, including a setback in early July when renewed soreness during rehab temporarily shut him down again. While recent updates indicate the fracture is no longer the primary source of pain and he’s dealing more with inflammation, the initial progression from a seemingly minor strain to a hidden fracture has kept one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters off the field for an extended period.
As of July 17th, Alvarez was scheduled for a critical re-evaluation by doctors. Reports from General Manager Dana Brown indicate Alvarez is currently pain-free in his hand, a significant positive step. While a precise timeline for his return to major league action remains to be determined and will depend on being cleared to resume swinging a bat and then a rehab assignment, there is renewed optimism that the slugger could make his return to the lineup sometime later in the 2025 season, barring any further setbacks. The Astros and Alvarez continue to proceed with caution, aiming for a full and healthy return without rushing him back into action.