Not much has been able to stop Yordan Alvarez this season. However, a back injury occurred on May 23, which forced the prodigious slugger to come out mid at-bat in the Astros’ game on May 23.

Alvarez removed from game

Yordan Alvarez was removed from the Astros’ game on May 23 with back spasms.

Alvarez stated after the game in Spanish that he felt good overall. He indicated that he felt something in his back twice, once earlier in the day and again before he was removed. The Astros OF/DH also stated that he won’t be in the team’s lineup on May 24, although that was planned previously.

IL moves

Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was placed on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain.

The Rangers placed reliever Carter Baumler on the 60-day IL with a right intercostal strain.

White Sox reliever Jordan Hicks was placed on the 15-day IL with a right lat strain.

Taj Bradley (Twins) and Caleb Ferguson (Reds) were activated off the injured list.

Rehab assignments

Pirates pitcher Jared Jones struck out six over 4.1 IP (76 pitches) for Triple-A Indianapolis. Jones topped out at 100 MPH and averaged 98 MPH on his four-seamer.

Royals pitcher Cole Ragans struck out three over 4.1 IP (68 pitches). Ragans averaged 95 MPH, with his hardest pitch coming at 98 MPH

A.J. Puk threw a scoreless inning and struck out one for the ACL Diamondbacks on May 23.

Other notes

Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer recently tossed a 30-pitch bullpen session (h/t Sportsnet).

Max Muncy (wrist) and Garrett Mitchell (back) did not play.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker indicated that the team is re-evaluating plans for Corey Seager after his scheduled live BP session was postponed (h/t Dallas Morning News). Additionally, the team pulled Josh Jung from their game on the 23rd with shoulder soreness.

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