Houston Astros Push Back Alvarez's Injury Rehab Assignment

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez was set to being an injury rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Astros announced on Friday that the beginning of outfielder Yordan Alvarez’s injury rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land would be delayed due to illness.

Alvarez was supposed to play his first game of any kind in a month with the Space Cowboys as part of his injury rehab to prepare to return to the Astros. The team did not announce when Alvarez would make his rehab debut.

Astros manager Dusty Baker wasn't sure when Alvarez would start his rehab assignment, speaking to the media in advance of Friday's game.

"No idea," Baker said. "The press release is what it was. He's sick. That slowed him down some. We don't know exactly when he'll be back."

His injured teammate, pitcher José Urquidy, was still expected to start his injury rehab on Friday with Sugar Land.

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.

The Astros expect to start right-hander J.P. France against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. Left-hander Framber Valdez will start on Saturday and right-hander Cristian Javier will start on Sunday to wrap up that series.

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