Astros Lose One All-Star Slugger, Replace Him With Another

It's one of those bad news-good news things for the Houston Astros on Friday in two transactions. As expected, they officially placed invaluable slugger Yordan Alvarez on the IL with a "significant" ankle sprain. But at least they do return to the lineup another All-Star, third baseman Isaac Paredes. He's been out for exactly two months.

Source: Isaac Paredes is expected to be reinstated from the IL tonight by the Astros and be available for the huge series against the Mariners. He was hitting .259/.359/.470 with a team-high 19 HRs and 50 RBIs in 94 games before straining his hamstring July 19 in Seattle.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) September 19, 2025

Now, replacing Alvarez isn't really something that Paredes—or practically anyone else in the sport, quite frankly—can do. But he can certainly add some nice production to the lineup.

The 26-year-old infielder was slashing .259/.359/.470 with an .829 OPS and a 128 OPS+, along with a team-high 19 HR and 50 RBIs in 94 games when he went down on July 19.

Paredes was actually feared to be out for the rest of the regular season after suffering that severe hamstring strain, which is the reason that the Astros went out and re-acquired Carlos Correa, and plugged him in at Paredes's position, third base.

But with the team seeming to rush Paredes back due to the loss of Alvarez, they're certain to protect his hamstring by having him DH in Alvarez's spot for now upon his return.

With team control on Paredes for two more years, and second baseman Jose Altuve, Correa and Alvarez all signed for several more seasons, the Astros will have an overcrowding situation to deal with in the offseason. But for now, that depth will come in very handy.

Paredes's return is just in time for the Astros to face off against the Seattle Mariners in a crucial three-game set, as the two teams battle for first place in the AL West. They are in a dead heat with nine games to play.