Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won’t have a prolonged stay on the injured list.

The three-time All-Star went on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday, and returned to Houston for an MRI that revealed the muscle strain.

“We look at it as good news,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before their 9-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

Espada expressed hope that Alvarez wouldn’t have to stay on the injured list longer than the required 10 days. He also said the hand issue may have played a role in Alvarez’s slow start.

Alvarez, 27, is hitting .210 with a .306 on-base percentage, three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season. He batted .308 with a .392 on-base percentage, 35 homers and 86 RBIs in 147 games last year while ranking ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player balloting.

He has posted an OPS of at least .959 and has finished 13th or higher in the MVP voting each of the past three seasons.

“Once he heals, once he gets back, I think we’ll see a more aggressive at-bat and be not as cautious,” Espada said. “I think it had something to do with it, yes.”

White Sox put OF Benintendi on IL with calf strain: The Chicago White Sox placed outfielder Andrew Benintendi on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a left calf strain.

The 30-year-old Benintendi got hurt during Sunday’s win against Houston. He is batting .224 with five homers and 12 RBIs in 24 games this season.

Benintendi missed much of spring training after he broke his right hand when he was hit by a pitch on Feb. 27. He made it back in time for Opening Day, but he was placed on the 10-day IL on April 9 with a left adductor strain.

Benintendi signed a $75 million, five-year contract with Chicago before the 2023 season.

The last-place White Sox also brought up infielder Nick Maton from Triple-A Charlotte before their game at Kansas City.

Reds’ Marte on IL with oblique strain: The Cincinnati Reds placed third baseman Noelvi Marte on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain on Wednesday.

Marte was scratched minutes before the first pitch of the Atlanta Braves’ 2-1 win over the Reds in 10 innings on Tuesday night. He was reported to have left side discomfort and the oblique injury was disclosed on Wednesday. Marte was hitting .294 with three homers and 17 RBIs.

The Reds recalled outfielder Rece Hinds from Triple-A Louisville before Wednesday night’s game against the Braves.

Blue Jays’ Scherzer throws to hitters: Max Scherzer took what the Toronto Blue Jays hope is a significant step in his return from a right thumb injury on Wednesday when he threw to hitters for the first time since going on the injured list in March.

“I thought his stuff was really good,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said before Wednesday night’s game against the host Angels. “Afterward, he said he felt good, so that’s a really good step in the right direction.”

Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner who signed a one-year, $15.5 million deal with Toronto in February, threw 20 pitches. Barring a setback, Schneider said he will repeat the workout but with more pitches over the weekend.

“It felt good,” Scherzer, 40, said. “I’ve gotten all the inflammation out, so I can finally grip the ball again and not blow out my shoulder. But I’m not celebrating this until I’m back starting in a major league game.”