Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros is dealing with a small strain in his right hand, leading to his placement on the 10-day injured list due to inflammation. Manager Joe Espada expressed optimism that Alvarez might be back to swinging a bat by the time the team returns home. The Astros are set to begin a demanding stretch of games that includes 17 consecutive days of play. Although Alvarez has struggled this season with a subpar .646 OPS and only three home runs, his metrics indicate strong underlying performance, suggesting his hand injury could have contributed to his slow start. Rest is key for his recovery as the team hopes for a swift return to form.