Astros dodge serious injury with Yordan Alvarez

According to a report, the Astros feared Yordan Alvarez broke a bone in his hand during Saturday’s loss.

The Houston Astros feared Yordan Alvarez broke a hamate bone in his hand in his last at-bat Saturday, Buster Olney of ESPN reported. Alvarez remains day-to-day while out of the lineup Sunday.

Tests brought better news Sunday as the Astros don’t see Alvarez’s ailment as serious. Beat reporters asked for further comments on the left-hander’s status, but manager Dusty Baker didn’t disclose any further information.

Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reported Alvarez didn’t partake in pregame workout activities nor was he available to the media. While the Astros have an off day Monday, Alvarez is expected to be available for the Astros’ two-game series with the New York Mets which starts Tuesday at Minute Maid Park.

Alvarez entered Monday slashing .311/.403/.623 with 18 home runs as the best designated hitter in Major League Baseball. Stretching to left field, the 24-year-old has started 27 games in the field to his 32 starts as the designated hitter.

While the Astros face day-to-day injuries with Alvarez and Aledmys Diaz, there is one last line of defense of healthy position players on the 40-man roster. Left-handed outfielder Dillon Thomas, who was claimed off waivers Wednesday from the Los Angeles Angels, is the only available 40-man rostered minor leaguer.

The 40-man lacks another infield option with Niko Goodrum and Joe Perez on the 7-day injured list in Triple-A and Double-A, respectively. Mauricio Dubon started at shortstop in lieu of Diaz, leaving J.J. Matijevic as the lone infielder able to extend from the designated hitter spot, although only to first base.

With Jeremy Peña expected to return late this month, the addition of a middle infielder to the 40-man offers more cushion in response to the injuries the Astros face up the middle.