(SportsRadio 610) - The Astros' top slugger and one of their starting pitchers appear to be closer to returning from injury.
Yordan Álvarez, who's been on the injured list since June 9 with a right oblique strain, strain) hit batting practice on the field Friday and Saturday for the first time since the injury.
José Urquidy, who's been on the IL since early May with right shoulder discomfort, threw a two-inning simulate game Sunday morning before the Astros' series finale against the Seattle Mariners.
Astros general manager Dana Brown told Robert Ford on the team's radio program that both Álvarez and Urquidy will "for sure" be on a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break. Brown added second baseman José Altuve, who is on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain, is about a week behind Álvarez and Urquidy, but is healing faster than they anticipated.
Álvarez is slashing .277/.388/.589 for a .978 OPS in 202 at-bats this season. He was recently named to his second straight All-Star appearance, but will not participate in the game due to the injury.
Urquidy (2-2) made just six starts before shoulder discomfort set in. His ERA was 5.20 with a 1.55 WHIP in 27.2 innings pitched.
Altuve missed the first 43 games of the season with a fractured right thumb. He later missed four games from June 3-6 after a minor tweak of his right oblique, as the team described it. Later in the month at Dodger Stadium, Altuve aggravated his right heel running out a bunt and missed another two games.
Follow SportsRadio 610 on social media:
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
