Houston Astros Announce Injured Stars Set to Begin Rehab Assignment

Yordan Alvarez and José Urquidy will join the Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Friday to take the final step before re-joining the Astros.

Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Astros are getting close to getting two of their top players back from injury as outfielder Yordan Alvarez and pitcher José Urquidy will start rehab assignments on Friday.

MLB.com reported the rehab assignments.

The pair will report to Triple-A Sugar Land, which should be their final step before re-joining the Astros, who open the second half of the season on Friday.

Alvarez has been on the injured list with a right oblique strain since early June and the Astros were targeting a return after the All-Star Break. He’s been hitting balls off tees, taking batting practice and doing other baseball-related activities for the past two weeks, dating back to the Astros’ road trip to Los Angeles, St. Louis and Texas to end the month of June.

Urquidy has thrown several bullpen sessions, a batting practice session and at least one simulated game, wrapping up his pre-assignment work at Minute Maid Park before the All-Star Break.

Urquidy is on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. When he left the Astros he was 2-2 with a 5.20 ERA in six starts.

Houston would be grateful to get him back as they’re already without Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia for the season due to injury.

The Astros also set their pitching probables for their first three games after the break.

Right-hander J.P. France will start on Friday, left-hander Framber Valdez will start on Saturday and right-hander Cristian Javier will start on Sunday.

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