CHICAGO -- The last thing the Astros can endure is an injury to slugger Yordan Alvarez, who was removed from Saturday’s game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field during an at-bat after appearing to be in physical discomfort following a swing.
Prior to the at-bat, Astros manager Joe Espada and an athletic trainer talked with Alvarez while he was standing on the on-deck circle, preparing to lead off the inning. Alvarez, who was in the lineup at designated hitter, stretched with his bat behind his back before making his way to the plate.
After fouling off an 0-2 pitch, Alvarez appeared to be in some discomfort, prompting Espada and the trainer to head to the field and remove him from the game. Zach Dezenzo finished the at-bat and struck out -- a strikeout charged to Alvarez.
The Astros have been ravaged by injuries all season, with six players who were in the Opening Day lineup having spent time on the injured list this year. That doesn’t include starting shortstop Jeremy Peña, who didn’t start on Opening Day but wound up missing a month with a hamstring injury.
Alvarez, the American League Player of the Month for April, entered Saturday leading the AL in total bases, was tied for first in extra-base hits, second in OPS and slugging and third in on-base percentage. After going 0-for-2 with a walk on Saturday, he’s hitting .300 with a .415 on-base percentage and 1.010 OPS. He has started each of Houston’s first 52 games.