By LWOSports.com,Neil Becker

Copyright yardbarker

Heading into the season’s final two weeks, the Houston Astros, who are fighting for a playoff berth, received a huge gut-punch when their slugging outfielder, Yordan Alvarez, left a recent game due to what’s being termed a left ankle sprain.

Alvarez, who already this season has missed 101 games after fracturing his hand back in early May, returned in late August and was hitting well when, on September 15th, during a 6-3 win at Dalkin Park against the Texas Rangers, Alvarez gave Astros fans and management alike a monumental scare.

During the first inning action, Alvarez ran home on a throwing error from Rangers starter Jack Leiter, when suddenly, upon touching home plate, he slipped and rolled his ankle. In what has been a tough luck season, Alvarez couldn’t even put any weight on that ankle and needed assistance from the trainer in getting back to the dugout.

“I saw him coming around, and when he stepped on home plate I had a front-row seat,” Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena said. “His ankle kind of twisted. Then, when he went to plant again, I saw it twist again. It’s not pretty. You don’t want to see that.”

The other thing you don’t want to see, which unfortunately happened, was the 28-year-old Alvarez in a walking boot and using crutches after the game.

This injury setback couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Astros, who, with 13 games remaining, find themselves .5 games behind the Seattle Mariners for first place in the AL West Division.

Alvarez has been extremely productive this year by producing six home runs, 27 RBIs, and 45 hits in only 165 at-bats. Since returning in late August from that hand injury, Alvarez has in 19 games hit for a .369 average.

Astros World Series Run Depends on the Health of Alvarez

Alvarez Replacement, Zach Cole, the Unexpected Hero vs. Rangers

Astros 25-year-old outfielder Zach Cole couldn’t have picked a better time to have a game of his life.

Cole, who was drafted in the 10th round in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft by the Astros, emerged as a fan favourite when, in replacing an injured Alvarez, he stepped up big time by hitting a fifth-inning two-run homer in what was, against the Rangers, a three RBI game. “Just trying to be competitive,” Cole said. “That guy’s (pitcher Jack Leiter) really good. He’s got a lot of good pitches. Just trying to do my best to foul off anything close just to get another pitch.”

Alvarez Has Built Up An Impressive Baseball Resume

Starting in the 2019 season, when Alvarez mashed 27 home runs along with 78 RBIs to win the AL Rookie of the Year honours, this 6’4” 237 237-pound outfielder has not slowed down.

Alvarez is a three-time All-Star (2022-2024) and has won the 2022 Silver Slugger Award after hitting .306 with 144 hits, 37 home runs, 97 RBIs, and 95 runs scored. That same year, Alvarez was also named to the All-MLB First Team.

Alvarez More Than Likely Out For the Season

Chances are, with a severe left ankle sprain, Alvarez will miss the rest of the regular season. There is no guarantee that Houston will even make the playoffs, as they find themselves not only in a dogfight with the Mariners for first place in the AL West division but also only three games up on the Rangers for that third and final wild card spot.

Realistically, the Astros don’t have a power hitter who can step in and provide that necessary power for this team to be more of a threat. They have Cole, Ramon Urias, and Jesus Sanchez to try and fill that void, but with all due respect, they aren’t Alvarez.

“I’m not asking them to put the Yordan Alvarez hat on,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “I want them to be themselves. I want them to be the best versions of themselves, and if we do that, we’re going to find ourselves competing and doing everything we can to win the division.”

Alvarez had an MRI, and he’s getting treatment. You can bet that, even if not one hundred percent, this big slugger will be back by at least playoff time if the Astros qualify.

Meanwhile, all Astros fans from across the globe are crossing their fingers and hoping that Alvarez is back sooner rather than later.