Yordan Alvarez is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday, reporting to Double-A Corpus Christi as the designated hitter. The plan calls for a few rehab games before he rejoins the Astros, offering a potential jolt to a lineup that has missed its slugger since May. The return would come as Houston eyes a tighter grip in the AL West.

Alvarez’s injury saga began May 2 with a right-hand issue, later revealed to include a fracture after live batting practice. A protracted recovery included setbacks from inflammation and injections, with swing work resuming gradually. He participated in live at-bats at the Astros’ West Palm Beach facility and reappeared in Houston as he pressed toward rehab play.

The team also has Meyers and Paredes sidelined, increasing Alvarez’s eventual impact on the lineup. Meyers is building up to rehab, not far behind Alvarez, while Paredes has been out with an injury. Houston hopes Alvarez’s return, along with a healthy lineup, can sustain a late-season push in a competitive division race.

For fantasy managers, Alvarez’s ramp could unlock a clearer path to productive at-bats and run production, potentially reshaping the Astros’ top-to-bottom lineup order. Monitor the pace of his rehab and the team’s veteran presences as the season approaches its stretch run.

Yordan Alvarez advanced in his return from a right-hand injury by taking eight live at-bats at the Astros’ West Palm Beach facility, reporting strength after the session. The team didn’t announce the next step, leaving the possibility of a minor-league rehab assignment in limbo as Alvarez last played on May 2 and was later diagnosed with a fracture following an initial hand-muscle strain.

Jake Meyers is also progressing, nearing a rehab assignment after reporting to West Palm Beach to continue rehab from a right calf strain. Meyers last played on July 6. With both outfields potentially replenished soon, Houston’s outfield depth could shift, influencing fantasy rosters tied to Alvarez and Meyers and the surrounding lineup in the weeks ahead.

Josh Hader will seek a second medical opinion on his left shoulder strain after being placed on the 15-day IL, a move that will extend beyond two weeks and potentially reshape Houston’s late-inning strategy. Manager Joe Espada made clear there will be space for doctors to decide on surgery if needed. With Hader sidelined, the Astros face a bullpen shuffle and a need to lean on trusted veterans as they chase the AL West title.

Hader has been a standout since joining Houston, posting a 2.05 ERA with 28-for-29 saves and earning his sixth All-Star nod before this IL stint. He threw a season-high 36 pitches across two innings in his last outing and reported shoulder discomfort during pregame plyometrics. The injury compounds Houston’s recent lineup struggles, with Yordan Alvarez, Isaac Paredes and Jake Meyers also sidelined, placinga further burden on the pitching staff and the offense as the division race tightens.

The Astros have mixed durability and depth in their bullpen, with Bryan Abreu already serving as a prominent setup man and nine-time saves contributor among their relievers. Espada has not named a fill-in closer yet, signaling a committee approach until Hader’s status becomes clearer. The club’s injury list and the West-leading battle with Seattle add urgency to stabilizing the bullpen and lineup as they push toward the second half of the season.

Meyers resumed running and baseball activity in his calf rehab, with Espada noting sprinting and increased running intensity. He’s also hitting and doing outfield work in Houston while the Astros are on the road. There’s no firm return timeline yet as he must build volume and intensity before taking live at-bats or a rehab assignment.

Across 89 games this season, Meyers posted a 115 OPS+ and is hitting .308, second on Houston to Peña. Peña leads the Astros’ offense, so Meyers’ return should add a trustworthy center-field option and deepen outfield depth as the season progresses. The Astros are monitoring progress from the road.

The plan hinges on Meyers’ conditioning; Espada emphasized progress rather than a schedule, underscoring that Meyers must raise volume and intensity to unlock live pitching. Fantasy managers should monitor Meyers’ reintegration for late-season depth and potential uptick in outfield opportunities.

Isaac Paredes of the Houston Astros has suffered a right hamstring injury that is more serious than initially expected, leading to a second opinion. Paredes has been a standout performer, leading the Astros in home runs and RBIs before sustaining the injury on July 19. His absence, alongside other injured players like Jeremy Peña and Yordan Alvarez, puts pressure on the Astros to strengthen their lineup before the trade deadline. General manager Dana Brown is eyeing a left-handed hitter, but a replacement for Paredes at third base is increasingly necessary.

The Astros have relied on Mauricio Dubón in Paredes' absence while hoping for the return of Peña from injury soon. The team aims to navigate through this tough period while maintaining its competitive edge.