The Houston Astros are linked to an All-Star slugger to fill Yordan Alvarez’s role. Here’s the latest trade buzz as the MLB deadline nears.

PHOENIX - The Houston Astros placed right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. on the 15-day injured list with a right finger blister. The move, announced Tuesday, is retroactive to Sunday. Righty reliever Nick Hernandez was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land to take McCullers' place on the roster before Tuesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Nine days before the trade deadline, more attrition has hit the Houston Astros’ starting rotation. Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. has a blister on his throwing hand and is back on the injured list for the third time this season,

Brice Matthews hits his first two major league home runs, driving in five runs, as the Houston Astros beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-3

Rookie Brice Matthews hit his first two homers and drove in his first five runs as the Houston Astros beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-3 in Phoenix on Monday.