Houston Astros Receive Blow Following Alvarez Injury Update

In this story:
The Houston Astros desperately need offense during their current tough stretch. It's something they have been lacking for the better part of the 2023 MLB season.
Slugger Yordan Alvarez has been the lone bright spot in an otherwise bleak offensive situation.
However, Alvarez hit the injured list with “right oblique discomfort.” That has kept him out of action and Houston is feeling it.
As much as the Astros need him back, there is still no timetable in his return according to Astros general manager Dana Brown.
According to FOX 26, it could still take another week before a time table of return is even possible to determine.
That's a huge blow to a team that could desperately use his bat back in the lineup.
His injury has prompted questions about this previous offseason's plans and priorities when owner Jim Crane led the charge in free agency.
It also poses tough questions for the future, not just at the MLB trade deadline, but for seasons to come.
It sounds overblown, but it's not. Questions must be asked and something must change if Houston hopes to compete for a postseason spot this season, much less a World Series title.
More From SI's Inside The Astros:
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- Report: Former Astros Pitcher Fiers' Contract Terminated By CPBL Club
- Six Houston Astros Declared Free Agents
- Watch: Yordan Álvarez's Home Run Wins Astros World Series
- Lucas Giolito Claims All Teams Were Cheating in 2017
- Dusty Baker Makes His Thoughts Known on Bonds and Judge Records
- Is it Time to Move on From the Houston Astros Cheating Scandal?
- Is There Any Hope for an Aging Yuli Gurriel?
- Astros' Álvarez Stopped Striking Out and Became the Best Hitter in Baseball

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.