Astros: Team Update Reveals Promising Recovery of Injured Trio; Who's the First To Return?

Houston Astros are going into battles this season with key players out for various reasons.

The team provided supporters an update on the recovery of designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, left fielder Michael Brantley, and pitcher Jose Urquidy and fans can only find solace in the fact these three are on track with their rehabilitation.

The trio did some baseball-related activities already, according to Astros beat reporter Brian McTaggart.

Alvarez is dealing with a right oblique strain he suffered during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays three weeks ago.

"We've just got to regroup and try figure out how we're going to win some ballgames and get through this," manager Dusty Baker told reporters earlier this month when asked about the hitter's latest setback.

Brantley was sidelined by the shoulder injury he incurred in the 2022 season, while Uquidy is dealing with inflammation in his pitching shoulder, a delicate injury that has to be treated gradually.

Duo to return first after the All-Star break

McTaggart said Brantley and Alvarez could be back by mid-July if the timetable for their recovery is followed.

Brantley did some baseball activities in the last few days, including hitting twice and a cage session Tuesday. He followed it up with flyballs in the outfield the next day.

On the other hand, Alvarez tested whether the oblique responded well to the treatment by doing some soft tosses in the cage. The evaluations suggest the 2022 All-Star is doing fine.

The 2022 champs are set to go on a four-game series versus the Texas Rangers after going 2-1 against St. Louis Cardinals.