Manager Dusty Baker said Gurriel jammed his hands whilst stealing second base against the Dodgers on Wednesday, when Max Muncy set down his knee on Gurriel, who missed his second successive game.
"Back in my day, you would not have put down a knee. You would have any spike marks on your thighs," Baker explained.
Baker originally said the Astros were contemplating enjoying Gurriel at designated hitter Sunday, but he wasn't at the lineup.
Alvarez remains sidelined for the fourth consecutive game with what the team described as right wrist pain.
