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Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said after Monday night’s game that All-Star slugger Yordan Alvarez would not play during their current three-game series against the Seattle Mariners due to a knee sprain.

However, the manager is hopeful that Alvarez can return for the final regular-season series at the Cleveland Guardians, which begins Friday.

“If there’s a chance for him to come back in the regular season, it’s good news. I hope it would have been just one game, but that’s not the case,” Espada said.

Alvarez sustained the injury Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels when he slid into second base on a double in the third inning. He spent several minutes on the field being looked at by a member of the Astros training staff before exiting. Alvarez was originally diagnosed with a knee contusion.

Alvarez, 27, has batted .308 with 35 home runs and 86 RBIs in 147 games, 94 spent as Houston’s designated hitter and 53 as a left fielder. He was an All-Star selection for the third consecutive year.

The Astros (85-72) lost 6-1 to the Mariners on Monday and have a four-game lead on Seattle in the American League West with five games to play.

–Field Level Media