Yordan Alvarez was a late scratch from Sunday’s Astros lineup, as the young slugger continues to battle knee issues. Manager Dusty Baker told the Houston Chronicle’s Chandler Rome and other reporters that Alvarez arrived at the ballpark feeling knee soreness, which Baker suspected was from an awkward slide into third base during Saturday’s game. Alvarez, who has been dealing with bad knees throughout his brief career, has already been limited to DH duty for this season.
Since past tests haven’t revealed any structural problems, Alvarez’s knees could simply limit him, perhaps both in 2020 and beyond. It certainly isn’t what you want to see from a 23-year-old player, especially one who has been so productive even amidst this knee pain, and Baker acknowledged that the Astros will keep a close eye on him for the rest of the season.
More on some of the many injury situations popping up on a daily basis around baseball…
Tommy Pham was removed during a ninth-inning at-bat during Sunday’s Padres-Diamondbacks game. Pham was seemingly favoring his hand after hitting a foul ball and left after a consultation with a team trainer. This is the second straight game Pham has left early, as he was removed during the second inning of Saturday’s contest due to cramping in both calves. However, he was back in Sunday’s starting lineup as the DH and didn’t seem any worse for wear, going 1-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base.
