Astros' Alvarez sprains ankle crossing home plate

HOUSTON -- Astros All-Star left fielder Yordan Alvarez left Monday's game against the Texas Rangers with a sprained left ankle.

Alvarez appeared to slip as he crossed home plate in the first inning, scoring from first base on a throwing error by Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter on Carlos Correa's infield single. Alvarez was tended to by a trainer outside the Astros' dugout and then helped down the steps.

Zach Cole entered the game in right field in the second inning, with Jesus Sanchez moving to left.

The team announced the injury a couple of innings after Alvarez left the game.

Alvarez entered Monday's game batting .273 with six home runs and 27 RBIs, but has been limited to 47 games due to a fractured right hand that forced him to miss 101 games.

The Astros began the day with a two-game lead over the Rangers for the American League's final wild-card spot.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.