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One of the key cogs in the Houston Astros push to the postseason may not be with the team come October as Yordan Alvarez suffered a freak ankle injury on Monday night.
While sprinting to cross home plate during the opening game of the critical series against the rival Texas Rangers, Alvarez feverishly stepped on home plate to score a run after a throwing error from pitcher Jack Leiter.
Alvarez's left ankle rolled upon making contact with home plate in a way that is sure to make some squeamish.
Astros first baseman Christian Walker, who was in the on-deck circle at the time of the incident, helped Alvarez to the dugout, where he left the game and has not played since.
Houston general manager Dana Brown said Wednesday there was no fracture for Alvarez and the team would know more in the coming days.
The good news for the Astros is they swept the Rangers, likely eliminating their in-state rivals from playoff contention after halting their late-season charge for the postseason.
Houston Astros star Yordan Alvarez suffered a freak ankle injury during Monday's game
Alvarez does not have a fracture but has not played since the incident occurred against Texas
Alvarez is one of the best power hitters in baseball, seen as a tough out in the middle of the Houston lineup.
The Astros playoff success in recent years can be attributed in part to Alvarez's production, as he has been with the big-league club since 2019.
Houston has a trio of AL West opponents to end the regular season, facing the Mariners first in a critical series for who wins the division.
Then, the Astros will spent the last week of the season on the road, first facing the Athletics, then ending up in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels.
While Houston may make the postseason without Alvarez in the lineup, its chances of getting back to a World Series for the first time since 2022 will plummet without the 28-year-old Cuban on the roster.
