MILWAUKEE - Yordan Alvarez has a "small strain" in his right hand, but the Houston Astros are hopeful the slugger will miss minimal time on the injured list, manager Joe Espada said Wednesday. Alvarez was placed on the 10-day IL on Monday with what the Astros termed right hand inflammation.

Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won't have a prolonged stay on the IL.

The Astros received what they consider good news regarding the injury to slugger Yordan Alvarez on Wednesday. Manager Joe Espada said an MRI revealed that Alvarez has a muscle strain in his right hand that will simply require some rest before he returns to the lineup.