Astros' Yordan Alvarez sustains freak ankle injury; no fracture reported as AL West race intensifies

Yordan Alvarez suffered a freak ankle injury while sprinting to home plate during the opening game of Houston's critical series against the Texas Rangers on Monday night. The star slugger stepped on home plate after a throwing error by Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter, and his left ankle rolled on contact. He was helped to the dugout by Astros first baseman Christian Walker, who was in the on-deck circle at the time, and has not played since.

Houston general manager Dana Brown said Wednesday there was no fracture and that the team would know more in the coming days. The Astros swept the Rangers in that series, potentially eliminating their in-state rivals from playoff contention and stalling their late-season push.

Alvarez is one of the best power hitters in baseball and has been a core player for Houston since debuting with the big-league club in 2019. The Astros have built their postseason success in part around his production, and his absence raises questions about how far the club can advance without one of its most dangerous hitters.

Houston has a trio of AL West opponents to finish the regular season, starting with a pivotal series against the Seattle Mariners. After Seattle, the Astros will spend the final week on the road, facing Oakland and then Anaheim, with the aim of clinching the division and securing a playoff berth. While Houston could reach the postseason without Alvarez, the club's chances of advancing deep into October would likely be diminished without his bat in the lineup.