Alvarez set to miss All-Star Game, will be replaced by former Astro J.D. Martinez

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez is scheduled to miss the MLB All-Star Game after suffering an inflammation in his right hand.

The 25-year-old Alvarez was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday after the injury got worse when he returned. However, Astros manager Dusty Baker is optimistic that the Cuban hitter could return against the New York Yankees on July 21.

“Yordan has been suffering with the injury for a couple of weeks and it’s gotten worse. We decided that hey, the only way to get this well is to try to use these [series] before the All-Star break to coincide with the 10 that he has to be on the IL,” Baker said.

Replacing Alvarez in the All-Star lineup is former Astro and current Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez. The 34-year-old Martinez finished third in player balloting behind Alvarez and Shohei Ohtani at DH.

This year, Martinez is hitting an average of .313 to go along with nine homers, 38 RBIs, 50 runs, and an impressive .880 OPS. He has now made five All-Star appearances since the Astros let go of him in March 2014.