Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros' three‑time All‑Star, exited Saturday’s 7‑3 loss to the Chicago Cubs midway through a sixth‑inning at‑bat. After fouling Colin Rea’s pitch, he slipped into the on‑deck circle, visibly stiff. Back spasms forced him to leave before the plate appearance finished. Alvarez’s departure marked the first time he’s missed a plate appearance this season.

Astros manager Dusty Baker swapped Alvarez for pinch‑hitter Zach Dezenzo, who swung and missed on the next pitch, ending the at‑bat with a strikeout. Alvarez leads the league with a .300 average, 15 homers, and 31 RBIs. His absence could blunt Houston’s offensive firepower as the team seeks to climb the AL West standings.

Back spasms are a recurring issue for Alvarez, who has battled the condition earlier in the season. Houston’s offense will now rely on veteran slugger Alex Bregman and rising star Jeremy Pena to fill the void. The Astros’ next matchup against the Detroit Tigers will test whether the lineup can compensate without their leading power hitter.

Astros' manager notes that Alvarez’s injury is unlikely to sideline him for long, but the team will monitor his recovery closely. Houston’s bullpen will also need to stay sharp as the club aims to maintain its competitive edge in the tightly contested AL West race.