Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez took a small step toward returning from a hand injury by hitting off a pitching machine, manager Joe Espada said Friday. Alvarez did not hit against a machine on the field.

Starter Hayden Wesneski was ruled out for the season on Sunday, and Ronel Blanco has become the latest pitcher added to the injured list due to concerning elbow inflammation. Additionally, the team is still missing Spencer Arrighetti in its starting rotation because of a broken finger, and he is likely to be out for a few more weeks.

Seattle Mariners' utility player Miles Mastrobuoni hit just his second career home run Friday, and it took advantage of the dimensions in Houston.

With the slimmest of leads, Joe Espada summoned a matchup. The potential tying run toed first base with two outs in the seventh. Julio Rodríguez loomed for Seattle. Right-hander Bryan Abreu trotted in from the Houston Astros bullpen to face a familiar foe.

Six of their nine starters, catcher Yainer Diaz, first baseman Christian Walker, second baseman Brendan Rodgers, left fielder Jose Altuve, right fielder Cam Smith and designated hitter Yordan Alvarez all have OPS+ numbers under the league average of 100.

The Houston Astros have underwhelmed so far in 2025, but fans are getting frustrated with a few players in particular.

Signed to a minor-league deal last winter, Steven Okert has a 1.90 ERA with Astros and has improved his whiff rate to 36%.

The Houston Astros got their massive four-game series against their first place division rival Seattle Mariners off on the right foot on Thursday night. With a chance to turn things on their head this weekend,