Astros GM gives alarming injury update on MVP candidate

The Astros (38-29) are creeping back into the race for the AL West crown with the beginning of summer approaching, as the division-leading Texas Rangers (41-25) have lost three in a row and lead second-place Houston by just three and a half games. The Los Angeles Angels are only four and a half games back at 38-31.

The defending World Series champions have been hit with a significant number of injuries to key players already this year, with the likes of five-time All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley and right-handed starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. having missed the entire season thus far. Starters Jose Urquidy and Luis Garcia are also on the IL, with the latter out for the rest of the campaign after recently undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Former MVP second baseman Jose Altuve is back on the field now, but missed the first seven weeks of the spring after suffering a fractured thumb during the World Baseball Classic after being hit by a pitch.

Alvarez's injury not only puts added pressure on another former MVP (and offseason acquisition) Jose Abreu, who's struggled mightily this season, but it gives the Rangers a great shot at dethroning the Astros. Houston has won five of the last six AL West crowns.

Even with winter pickup Jacob deGrom done for the year, the Texas bats have stepped up and "Nasty Nate" Eovaldi has filled in admirably atop the Rangers rotation.

What may be the deciding factor in the division race is how soon Alvarez can get back in the lineup. Fresh off a 2022 season where he earned his first All-Star honor and Silver Slugger award, and secured a mega contract extension, he's one of the best hitters in baseball.

Alvarez was a leading AL MVP candidate at the time of his injury, but now it appears to be Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge (depending on his injury recovery) vs. the field. Alvarez trails only Judge in OPS at .978, is one RBI behind Rafael Devers for the AL lead at 55 and is third behind Judge (.674) and Ohtani (.600) in slugging percentage (.589).

With the injuries starting to pile up in Houston, Texas may have their best shot in recent years to overtake the Astros in the division, and unfortunately for Alvarez, he may have lost his best shot to win an AL MVP award.