The Astros, having been shut out in three consecutive games over 28 innings following Tuesday’s 1-0 loss in 10 innings to the Tigers, could use a major jolt in their lineup. They might be about to get one with the return of slugger Yordan Alvarez.

Michael Shapiro is a sports reporter for Chron, covering the Astros, Rockets, Texans and every team in town. Michael is a Denver native and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and a noted fan of pull-up threes, wide-receiver passes and a good hot fudge sundae.

Beat writer Matt Kawahara answers a variety of Astros questions in his bi-weekly mailbag, including on Jake Meyers' status and Cam Smith's second-half trajectory.

Astros' Joe Espada Announces Big Yordan Alvarez News on Sunday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Houston Astros have spent the entirety of the 2025 season short-handed, weathering a wave of key injuries across both the starting rotation and position player group.