Yordan Alvarez Injury: Cleared for rehab assignment

Alvarez (hand) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A Corpus Christi, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez took eight at-bats in live batting practice Saturday at the Astros' spring training complex in Florida without issue, and Houston was comfortable clearing him for his game action since he landed on the injured list May 5. Manager Joe Espada said that Alvarez will serve as Corpus Christi's designated hitter Tuesday, and the 28-year-old will likely need multiple games in the minors to regain his timing at the plate before being activated from the 60-day IL. Jose Altuve has been seeing most of the starts at DH for the Astros of late, but he would likely shift back to second base once Alvarez is ready to return.