Hope on the Horizon: Key Astros Stars Turn Corner on Injury Rehab, Chas McCormick Returns to Active Roster

HOUSTON, TX – July 22, 2025 – After a challenging first half plagued by an unprecedented rash of injuries, the Houston Astros are finally seeing significant rays of light on the rehabilitation front. Several integral players, including slugger Yordan Alvarez and All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña, are making promising strides, while outfielder Chas McCormick has already been reinstated to the active roster.

The most encouraging news comes from the progress of Yordan Alvarez. Sidelined since early May with a hand injury that later revealed a small fracture, Alvarez took a crucial step this week by resuming hitting off a tee and engaging in soft toss from coaches as of July 21st. The powerful left-handed hitter reported feeling good, a vital sign after a previous setback. While the team plans a cautious, slow progression, this marks a pivotal moment in his long-awaited return.

Similarly, All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña is “really close” to taking live batting practice sessions in Florida, an exciting development for the team’s sparkplug at the top of the order. Peña, who suffered a rib fracture in late June, has been taking ground balls and running, and his potential return before the end of July would provide an immediate boost to the lineup and infield defense.

On the pitching side, the Astros are seeing multiple arms begin their respective comeback trails:

– Young right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, out since early April with a broken thumb, made an excellent impression in his first minor league rehab start on July 19th with Double-A Corpus Christi, throwing three scoreless innings.

– Long-term Tommy John recipients Cristian Javier (July 18th) and Luis Garcia (July 20th) also commenced their rehab assignments with positive initial outings, beginning their lengthy but anticipated journeys back to the big league mound.

– Right-hander J.P. France, recovering from a torn shoulder capsule, also returned to game action in the Florida Complex League on July 21st.

Perhaps the most immediate good news for the active roster is the return of Chas McCormick. The outfielder was reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Friday, July 18th, after successfully completing his rehab assignment for a left oblique strain. McCormick’s return adds much-needed depth and defensive versatility to the Astros’ outfield.

While the Injured List still features over a dozen players, the recent advancements in the recovery of key contributors like Alvarez, Peña, and the trio of starting pitchers signal a hopeful shift. As the Astros navigate the second half of the season, the prospect of getting these impact players back on the field provides a significant boost to their postseason aspirations.