Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Scratched with neck issue

Alvarez was scratched from the Astros' lineup ahead of Friday's game versus Baltimore due to neck discomfort, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The severity of Alvarez's injury remains unknown, but it is apparently enough to keep him out of Friday's series opener. While he takes a day to recover, Alex Bregman will serve as Houston's designated hitter, with Shay Whitcomb starting at third base.