MLB Rumors: Astros Eye Trade; Expect Injured Altuve, Álvarez, Urquidy to Play in Aug.

The Houston Astros are reportedly banking on the cavalry coming in sooner rather than later.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the team expects designated hitter/outfielder Yordan Álvarez, second baseman Jose Altuve and starting pitcher Jose Urquidy to return from the injured list early next month.

The team is also searching for a left-handed hitter to improve their lineup, which is largely full of right-handed batters.

Álvarez has been out of the lineup since injuring his oblique June 8 against the Toronto Blue Jays. He recently finished a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land, and Astros manager Dusty Baker said the slugger will be back in the lineup soon.

"He's real close," Baker told reporters Monday. "We're not sure if it's tomorrow or the next day. We've got to come out and test him some more and see if he's really ready."

Altuve has been out of the lineup since July 3 with his own oblique issue. He's been limited to just 32 games this season amid myriad injury issues but could wind up back without going on a rehab assignment, Baker said.

A shoulder injury has limited Urquidy to only six starts in 2023. The Astros' rotation has been ravaged by injuries, with Lance McCullers and Luis Garcia ruled out for the season and Urquidy missing extended time. It's possible Houston will also explore adding a pitcher before the deadline to fortify its rotation.

The Astros come into Tuesday's slate of games at 57-44, sitting two games behind the Texas Rangers for the top spot in the AL West. Given the amount of talent coming back from injuries sooner than later, Houston appears primed for a run at the division.