Houston Astros activate Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez in time for series finale with Rangers

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- You didn't think they would miss a potential season-altering sweep of a rival, did you?

The Houston Astros, who were a game back from the American League West lead heading into Wednesday, welcomed injured stars Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez back to the lineup. The club announced their return hours before a high-stakes series finale with the Texas Rangers.

The Rangers, who entered the series with Houston three games up as the division's leader, were at risk of sharing first place after Houston won their last two games with Texas in one-run contests.

Manager Dusty Baker Jr. placed Altuve as the leadoff hitter at second base, while he chose Alvarez as the designated hitter in the No. 5 slot in the batting order.

Houston has not led the AL West through 102 games of this championship-defense season.

Altuve and Alvarez return after similar oblique injuries. Altuve, 33, hasn't played in a game since July 3 in Arlington. He was a late scratch before the Astros' July 4 game against Colorado, when he was seen in pain during pregame batting practice.

Alvarez's layoff was longer. The 26-year-old Cuban star hasn't played in a game since June 8, when he was pulled during his start in Toronto. Since that game, Alvarez has been on the shelf recovering and was later assigned to play with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys for rehab.

The team announced that it optioned Bligh Madris and David Hensley to the Triple-A Space Cowboys to make room for the returning stars.