Astros beat the Diamondbacks 6-3 on July 21, 2025, thanks to Framber Valdez & Jose Altuve. But the biggest news was an injury update on Yordan Alvarez.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic 'good news, bad news' day for the Houston Astros. The good? A decisive 6-3 road victory over the Diamondbacks to kick off the series. The bad? Another key player hits the injured list. But amidst the churn, a massive piece of positive news emerged from the batter's box, giving fans a reason to be truly excited about the near future.
Yordan Alvarez, sidelined since May 5 with a right hand fracture, resumed swinging a bat and participated in light hitting drills.
On the mound, it was The Framber Valdez Show. The Astros' ace was in complete control, carving through the Arizona lineup for seven masterful innings. He allowed just two runs while striking out eight, setting the tone for the entire game. The offense provided plenty of support, led by a vintage Jose Altuve performance. The second baseman went 3-for-5, blasting a crucial three-run homer. Not to be outdone, Kyle Tucker added a solo shot of his own, and Ryan Pressly calmly locked down his 23rd save. It was a textbook win that pushed the Astros to 57-42 and solidified their hold on the AL West.
The victory was tempered by a significant loss. Third baseman Isaac Paredes was placed on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain. His bat has been a crucial part of the lineup, with 19 homers and 50 RBIs on the season, and his absence will be felt. In a related move, the team transferred second baseman Brendan Rodgers to the 60-day IL, confirming he'll be out for an extended period. The Astros' infield depth is certainly being tested.
Just as fans were processing the Paredes news, the team delivered the best update in months: Yordan Alvarez is swinging a bat again. Sidelined since early May with a fractured hand, the superstar slugger was seen taking light swings and participating in hitting drills. While there's still no official timetable for his return to the lineup, this is a monumental step forward. The thought of Alvarez's bat rejoining the team is the biggest morale boost imaginable and a sign that the team's biggest weapon is getting closer to a return.
With Paredes out, the Astros have called upon infielder Cam Smith from Triple-A Sugar Land. The 24-year-old has earned his shot, hitting a stellar .298 with 12 home runs for the Space Cowboys. He'll get a chance to prove himself at the hot corner. Meanwhile, more help is on the horizon for the pitching staff. Top prospect Spencer Arrighetti looked sharp in a rehab start for Double-A Corpus Christi, tossing three scoreless innings. His return to the Astros' bullpen, expected in August, will be a welcome reinforcement for the stretch run.
Monday was a microcosm of a championship contender's season: a solid win on the road, frustrating injuries, and the promise of reinforcements. The Astros proved again they can win even when they're not at full strength. As they look to secure a series win against the Diamondbacks, all eyes will be on the new guy, Cam Smith, and the daily progress reports on Yordan Alvarez. The path is challenging, but the pieces are starting to move in the right direction.
