Yordan Alvarez, the Houston Astros' standout left-handed power hitter, is currently sidelined due to a right-hand fracture that has limited his playing time since May. Having established himself as an elite slugger with a track record of hitting over 30 home runs for four consecutive seasons, his return is crucial for the Astros, who lead the AL West.

General manager Dana Brown provided an optimistic update, indicating that Alvarez's injury has healed but inflammation persists. He is set for a re-evaluation, with the hope of resuming batting activities soon. If Alvarez returns to form, his impressive 2024 season stats of a .308 average with 35 home runs could provide a significant boost to an already strong Astros lineup heading to the playoffs.

The Major League Baseball draft kicks off on Sunday, featuring the first three rounds starting at 5 p.m. ET, followed by rounds 4-20 on Monday starting at 10:30 a.m. The Houston Astros hold two crucial picks: No. 21 in Round 1 and No. 95 in Round 3. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN and MLB Network, as well as on MLB.com. This year's draft sees notable absences as top high school prospects Lucas Franco (Cinco Ranch) and Omar Serna (Lutheran South) have opted to pursue collegiate careers instead of entering the draft. Franco, heading to TCU, posted impressive stats with a .430 batting average, six home runs, and 28 stolen bases. Meanwhile, Serna, committed to LSU, was named the All-Greater Houston Private School Hitter of the Year, boasting a .491 average with 56 RBIs.

Isaac Paredes, the Houston Astros' third baseman, will miss the MLB All-Star Game due to a family matter. Recently added as a replacement for José Ramírez, this marks Paredes' second consecutive All-Star selection. Despite his absence from the All-Star festivities in Atlanta, Astros' manager Joe Espada expects him back for the first series post-All-Star break in Seattle. Paredes has been a standout for Houston, leading the team with 19 home runs and ranking second in RBIs with 49, solidifying his place among the top third basemen in the American League.

Several other Astros are set to participate in the All-Star Game, including pitchers Hunter Brown and Josh Hader, along with shortstop Jeremy Peña. However, Peña is currently on the injured list due to a fractured rib and will attend the festivities but will not play. With Paredes not joining, only Hader is expected to appear in the game for the Astros.

Jeff Luhnow, former GM of the Houston Astros, reflects on the controversial trade for Roberto Osuna during the 2018 season. Acquired while under suspension for domestic violence, Osuna's addition to the Astros sparked outrage among fans. Luhnow acknowledges that he underestimated the trade's impact on female fans and admits he would handle it differently today. Osuna was a talented closer, but his off-field issues overshadowed his contributions, especially after the Astros' World Series loss to the Nationals the following season. Currently, Osuna plays in Japan, having faced injury setbacks and eventual release from Houston.

As we reach the MLB All-Star break, the waiver wire becomes critically important for fantasy baseball owners looking to enhance their rosters for the second half of the season. This week, notable call-ups include Brice Matthews of the Houston Astros, a promising shortstop who dominated at Triple-A with 10 home runs and 25 stolen bases. Also on the rise is Brady House from the Washington Nationals, who has been on fire with a .333 batting average in his last eight games.

Pitching-wise, Bubba Chandler of the Pittsburgh Pirates is making headlines after a strong comeback, striking out 13 batters with a 1.17 WHIP over 12 scoreless innings. For fantasy managers, it's essential to stay updated on injuries and player performances as the regular season resumes. Below is a list of key players to consider adding from the waiver wire, ranked to help prioritize your moves: