Astros' Yordan Alvarez Exits Game with Back Spasm, Misses Series Finale Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was forced to leave Saturday’s 3-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning after experiencing a back spasm, according to reports. The injury occurred mid-at-bat, prompting manager Joe Espada to remove Alvarez from the game and send Zach Dezenzo to pinch hit. Dezenzo struck out on the next pitch, ending Alvarez’s participation in the contest. The decision to remove Alvarez was made to prevent further discomfort and avoid exacerbating the injury. Alvarez described the issue as tightness in his right scapula, or shoulder blade, which he had felt earlier in the day. He mentioned that the discomfort persisted despite his attempts to address it through his pre-game routine, which included lifting weights. “I was going through my routine before going to hit,” Alvarez said through a translator. “I was lifting some weights and felt that the scapula felt a little tight, and I couldn’t really raise my right arm a whole lot.” The injury occurred during an at-bat against Cubs pitcher Colin Rea. Alvarez fell behind in the count 0-2 before the discomfort became apparent. Espada, recognizing the issue, opted to substitute Alvarez with Dezenzo. “Espada came up to me and took me out of the game just to give it some rest and not make it worse,” Alvarez said. “So, I just followed his direction.” Espada explained that the decision to remove Alvarez was based on the timing of the at-bat. “Once that at-bat got going, he took too much time in between pitches,” Espada said. “It was time to come out of the game.” The manager also noted that he had planned to give Alvarez a day off on Sunday before the injury occurred. Alvarez, a three-time All-Star, is currently batting .#chicago_cubs #zach_dezenzo #houston_astros #joe_espada #yordan_alvarez
Astros' Carlos Correa Sits vs. Dodgers with Left Ankle Injury HOUSTON — Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa was removed from Tuesday night’s lineup against the Los Angeles Dodgers after sustaining a left ankle injury during batting practice. The injury occurred in the batting cage prior to the game, prompting the team to adjust its roster for the matchup. Manager Joe Espada confirmed the decision following the Astros’ 2-1 victory, stating that Correa would consult a foot specialist on Wednesday to assess the severity of the injury. The Astros faced similar challenges the previous day, as catcher Yainer Diaz was also scratched from Monday’s game after injuring an oblique during batting practice. Diaz’s absence led to the activation of veteran Christian Vazquez as the starting catcher. Espada provided limited details on Diaz’s recovery timeline, only noting that the injury would keep him out “for a while.” To accommodate Correa’s absence, the Astros made defensive adjustments, moving Nick Allen from third base to shortstop and placing Braden Shewmake in the lineup to play third base. Offensively, the team reconfigured its batting order, promoting Jose Altuve to the leadoff position to replace Correa. Shewmake, who batted ninth, delivered a crucial home run in the third inning—a solo shot off Shohei Ohtani—that proved pivotal in securing the win. Espada’s comments highlighted the team’s adaptability in the face of injuries, emphasizing the need to maintain competitive balance despite setbacks. The lineup changes underscored the Astros’ reliance on depth and flexibility, particularly in a high-stakes matchup against a formidable opponent. The game’s outcome, combined with the injury developments, reflected the challenges of maintaining consistency in a demanding schedule.#shohei_ohtani #los_angeles_dodgers #carlos_correa #christian_vazquez #joe_espada
