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CHICAGO — Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez is scheduled for his first day off this season on Sunday against the Cubs, which will come in Houston’s 54th game — the one-third mark on the schedule. Alvarez has started every game so far and was pulled from Saturday’s 3-0 win at Wrigley Field during an at-bat in the sixth inning with a back spasm.
The move was precautionary for Alvarez, who has already played in five more games than he did in the entire 2025 season. Alvarez said he felt a back spasm earlier in the day and suffered another while lifting weights prior to his at-bat in the sixth inning.
“The right scapula felt a little tight, and I really couldn’t raise my right arm a whole lot,” he said.
Alvarez was trying to stretch his back while standing at the on-deck circle before his at-bat to lead off the sixth, prompting a visit from manager Joe Espada and an athletic trainer. Alvarez began the at-bat and looked uncomfortable after fouling off an 0-1 pitch. The Astros took no more chances and pulled him from the game.
“Unfortunately, it was my turn to bat, and I didn’t give [the spasm] time to go away,” he said.
Alvarez, the American League Player of the Month for April, entered Saturday leading the AL in total bases, tied for first in extra-base hits, second in OPS and slugging and third in on-base percentage. After going 0-for-2 with a walk on Saturday, he’s hitting .300/.415/.595 and leading the team with 15 homers and 31 RBIs.
The Astros have been ravaged by injuries all season, with six players who were in the Opening Day lineup having spent time on the injured list this year, but they appear to have avoided another injury to the player they can least afford to lose.
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