Yordan Alvarez appears close to rejoining the Houston Astros after nearly a month-long absence due to a right hand injury. Alvarez took batting practice on the field Thursday for the first time since landing on the injured list May 5 with what the team later termed a right hand muscle strain.

Houston manager Joe Espada said Thursday injured slugger Yordan Alvarez is getting “really close” to returning to the lineup after sitting out with a hand injury for almost a month.

The Houston Astros didn't expect to be without Yordan Alvarez for this long, but the mot recent injury update is a positive one. Christian Walker had X-rays taken after being hit by a pitch, and Luis Garcia has a target date for later this season.