Most concerning for the Astros is not their slide to five games back of the AL West lead, but the health of the most dangerous hitter in their lineup. According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Alvarez, who was in the designated hitter role on Thursday, “said he felt oblique soreness on his final swing in the batting cage before the game and then aggravated it when he swung and missed twice in his first-inning at-bat against Jays starter José Berríos.”

Houston manager Dusty Baker did not provide many specifics when speaking with the media following the game, other than that the team plans to re-evaluate Alvarez on Friday. However, Baker’s immediate response to the injury hinted that the team could be without Alvarez for some period of time.

“That’s a tough blow right there,” Baker said, per Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle. “We’ve just got to regroup and see how we’re going to get through this.”

While Alvarez’s injury spurs concerns, especially given Houston’s offensive inconsistency this season, Jose Altuve‘s recent recovery from an oblique issue is a source of optimism. Altuve, who was sidelined for nearly two months to start the year with a fractured thumb, was able to return to the lineup after missing four games earlier this month.

The Astros’ next game is scheduled for Friday, as they start a three-game road series against the Cleveland Guardians.