Houston Astros left fielder Yordan Alvarez. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Astros to activate All-Star Yordan Alvarez from IL Thursday

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/20/22

When the Houston Astros kick off the second half of the 2022 season on Thursday against the New York Yankees, they expect to have All-Star Yordan Alvarez back in the lineup.

Alvarez has been on the IL since July 10 with a nagging hand injury.

A guest on Sports Talk 790's Sean Salisbury Show Wednesday, Astros general manager James Click said Alvarez would hit Wednesday and play on Thursday.

#Astros GM James Click on @SSalisburyShow on @SportsTalk790 said the expectation is for Yordan Alvarez to play tomorrow. He’ll hit on the field today at MMP & go from there.
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) July 20, 2022

Alvarez is mashing the ball this season for the Astros. He leads the team in runs (57), hits (82), home runs (26), batting average (.306), on-base percentage (.405) and slugging percentage (.653).

The Astros went 4-3 without Alvarez in the lineup but dropped two of three to the last-place Oakland A's just ahead of the All-Star break.

The Astros currently lead the AL West with a 59-32 record. While they hold a comfortable lead, the second-place Seattle Mariners enter the second half riding a 14-game win streak.

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