Alvarez started in left field and went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 6-4 extra-inning loss to Arizona.
The Astros are growing more comfortable using Alvarez in the field and have a need in left with Michael Brantley (knee) unavailable. Alvarez's balky knees primarily limit him to designated hitter, but he has made a career-high 33 starts in left field this season. The home run was his 31st, and the slugger is just two RBI short of 100.