Astros fall to Rangers 5-1 on July 14, 2025, as offense sputters. But key injury updates on Yordan Alvarez & Jeremy Peña offer hope for a big second half.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a tough pill to swallow on Sunday as the Astros' offense went quiet in a 5-1 loss to the rival Texas Rangers, dropping the series at home. While the bats couldn't solve Nathan Eovaldi, the biggest story for Houston isn't what happened on the field, but who might be returning to it soon. As the team heads into the All-Star break, all eyes are on the medical report, where glimmers of hope are finally starting to emerge.
The team is optimistic... [Yordan Alvarez] has no pain in his hand.
The series finale against Texas was one to forget. The Astros managed just six hits, with the lone run coming in the sixth inning. Hunter Brown battled but ultimately took the loss, his record falling to 9-4, after surrendering homers to Marcus Semien and Adolis García. The lineup simply had no answer for Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi, who effectively shut the door through six innings. The loss drops the Astros to 56-40, highlighting the offensive void left by some of the team's biggest bats.
The most significant news came from the training room. General Manager Dana Brown provided a much-needed dose of optimism, revealing that shortstop Jeremy Peña (rib fracture) has resumed baseball activities. While he isn't swinging a bat yet, the hope is for a return shortly after the All-Star break. Even more crucial is the update on Yordan Alvarez. The slugger, out with a right hand fracture, will be re-evaluated on July 17 with the hope of being cleared for batting. Brown noted Alvarez is pain-free, a fantastic sign for his recovery. Meanwhile, Spencer Arrighetti (broken thumb) is already throwing live BP and could start a rehab assignment soon, adding another potential arm to the mix.
With key players still out, the Astros are making moves to stay afloat. The club called up shortstop prospect Brice Matthews from Triple-A Sugar Land to provide infield depth in Peña's absence. In other moves, Christian Walker returned from the paternity list, while outfielder Jake Meyers landed on the 10-day IL with a calf strain. Down on the farm, the rehab assignments for Chas McCormick and Luis Garcia continue with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. Their eventual return will feel like a mid-season trade, providing a huge boost of veteran talent for the stretch run.
While dropping a home series to a division rival is never ideal, the Astros enter the All-Star break with a solid 56-40 record and, more importantly, a clear path to getting healthy. The break comes at a perfect time, offering a chance to reset. If Houston can get Peña, Alvarez, Garcia, and McCormick back for the second-half push, this team will look dramatically different—and far more dangerous—come August.
