Yordan Álvarez exits Cubs game with back spasm, to sit out Sunday's series finale

May 24, 2026

Cuban designated hitter Yordan Álvarez left the Houston Astros' 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, May 23, in the middle of an at-bat in the sixth inning because of a right scapula spasm, and will miss Sunday's series finale as the Astros attempt a sweep.

Álvarez said through a translator that he experienced tightness in his right scapula earlier in the day during his pregame routine and "didn't give it time to go away." "I was going through my routine before going to hit. I was lifting some weights and felt that the scapula felt a little tight and I couldn't really raise my right arm a whole lot," he explained.

After fouling off a pitch from Cubs starter Colin Rea and falling behind 0-2 in the count in the sixth inning, Álvarez showed visible discomfort and manager Joe Espada sent Zach Dezenzo to pinch hit in his place. "Espada came up to me and took me out of the game just to give it some rest and not make it worse. So I just followed his direction," Álvarez said.

The three-time All-Star noted that Espada had already planned to give him Sunday off before the injury surfaced, suggesting his absence from the series finale is not necessarily a cause for alarm.

Álvarez is batting .300 with 15 home runs and 31 RBIs in 2026, leading Major League Baseball in several offensive categories and firmly in the conversation for the American League Most Valuable Player award.

(AP / The Associated Press)