Yordan Alvarez is set to DH for the majority of the 2026 season, but he is not thrilled and is giving manager Joe Espeda some pushback. At 28, the slugger is in his prime. A designated hitter is usually reserved for veterans in their 30s, but Alvarez is still a thriving athlete. Although he has suffered injuries in the past, none of them occurred while playing left field. So, should the Astros let him take the position and fully maximize his impact on the field?
Back in January, Espeda mentioned that Alvarez would see some playing time in left field, but the majority of his games would be at DH. While the decision is ultimately up to the team, Alvarez has expressed frustration with the plan.
The young athlete has a lot to offer, so does restricting him to DH make sense? Like many decisions with the Houston Astros, the reasoning points to injury concerns. Last season, Alvarez dealt with a fractured right hand that kept him out for much of the year, and later suffered a left ankle sprain that ended his season early, limiting him to just 48 games, per HoustonChronicle.
Most of his injuries came from other plays and movements on the field, not from playing left field. While the team makes the final call, Alvarez is clearly not pleased with being limited to DH.
Alvarez has mentioned that playing left field keeps him engaged and mentally sharp, helping him maintain his rhythm at the plate and making him even more dangerous offensively. It would also provide manager Joe Espeda with more flexibility in a crowded lineup, giving the team a stronger chance to optimize its lineup night after night.
When healthy, Yordan Alvarez is one of the best hitters in the league. Last season, the Cuban star played only 48 games due to injury, which seriously affected Houston’s offense. Missing Alvarez contributed to the team ultimately missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. While it is not all on him, losing a key hitter certainly did not help.
Protecting a superstar doesn’t necessarily mean maximizing his impact. Do the Astros need to stop worrying about what might happen and focus on putting their best player on the field to give themselves the best shot at winning consistently?