left todays 9-8 Astros lo s to the Angels due to a right knee contusion, and manager Joe Espada said after the game (to and other reporters) that the slugger is pretty sore and will undergo testing. While sliding into second base during a third-inning double, Alvarez banged his knee on the ground and had to be replaced by pinch-runner . Knee problems have bothered Alvarez for much of his career, and he had arthroscopic surgeries on both of his knees back in 2020. The Astros have primarily used Alvarez as a DH in a nod to these knee i sues, and while there isnt yet any indication that todays injury is anything more than a bruise, it certainly isnt a good sign to see one of Houstons top hitters suddenly facing a health concern just a week away from the playoffs. Alvarez is enjoying another tremendous season, with a 35 homers and a .305/.309/.564 slash line in a career-high 636 plate appearances entering todays action. More from around the AL West could be activated off the Mariners 15-day injured list within the next couple of days, the Seattle Times Adam Jude reports ( ). Between a season-opening lat strain and then a bout of biceps inflammation that has kept him sidelined since July 31, Santos has appeared in only six games for Seattle this year, delivering a 6.75 ERA in 5 1/3 innings of work. Santos has also to sed 5 1/3 Grant Hill Jersey innings during his six Triple-A rehab outings, with a 1.69 ERA but also with more walks (seven) than strikeouts (six). from the White Sox in a notable February trade, Santos hasnt done much in his first season with the Mariners, but theres a chance for some late heroics if he can return in time to help the Ms sneak into a playoff berth. Speaking of injury-plagued seasons, s 2024 campaign officially ended when a hamstring strain sent him to the Rangers 15-day injured list yesterday. Limited to a career-low 43 1/3 innings in 2024, Scherzer has that he wants to return for an 18th big league season, and he told MLB.coms Kennedi Landry ( ) and other reporters today that he is open to returning to Texas. , , , , , , and are all lined up as rotation locks or candidates for the Rangers next season, so on paper, there might not be room for a reunion with Scherzer even on a one-year deal. That said, theres also enough uncertainty within that projected depth chart that Texas might want still seek out more arms, and a pitcher with Scherzers track record still has plenty of upside even at age 40. was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier this week due to a fractured fibula, and in his weekly appearance on the Astros pregame radio show, GM Dana Brown that Gamel will most likely not be available for the postseason. Between Gamels injury, s fractured hand, and the new uncertainty about Alvarezs status, Houstons outfield is suddenly facing depth i sues as the playoffs approach. Aron Baynes Jersey