Yordan Álvarez Wins Players Choice AL Comeback Player and Outstanding Player Awards

Yordan Álvarez was voted the 2026 Players Choice Awards American League Comeback Player and AL Outstanding Player, the MLB Players Association announced on X.

"Came back, and came through," the MLBPA wrote. "Congratulations to Yordan Álvarez on being voted the 2026 Players Choice Awards AL Comeback Player and AL Outstanding Player!"

The Houston Chronicle noted on X that "Alvarez played 158 games after injuries limited him to 48 last year, and his 42 home runs tied for the fifth-highest total in Astros history." Those figures match Baseball Reference: Álvarez appeared in 158 games in 2026 with 42 home runs, after a 48-game, 6-homer 2025. Baseball Reference's Astros single-season batting leaders list his 42 as tied for fifth in club history with Jeff Bagwell (1999) and Lance Berkman (2002), behind Bagwell's 47 in 2000, Berkman's 45 in 2006, Richard Hidalgo's 44 in 2000 and Bagwell's 43 in 1997. MLB.com's all-time Astros single-season leaders show the same 42-homer tie for fifth.

Álvarez's full 2026 line, per Baseball Reference: .316/.432/.601 (1.033 OPS) with 105 runs, 179 hits, 34 doubles, 106 RBI and 109 walks in 692 plate appearances.

Around the MLB

Other 2026 Players Choice Award winners, each per the MLBPA:

• Player of the Year: Pete Crow-Armstrong (MLBPA)
• AL Outstanding Pitcher: Cam Schlittler (MLBPA)
• NL Outstanding Pitcher: Jacob Misiorowski (MLBPA)
• AL Outstanding Rookie: Kevin McGonigle (MLBPA)
• NL Outstanding Rookie: Sal Stewart (MLBPA)
• NL Comeback Player: Zack Wheeler (MLBPA)
• Marvin Miller Man of the Year: Chris Bassitt (MLBPA)
• Players Trust Philanthropist of the Year: Jake Burger (MLBPA)

World Series Game 5 is tonight at 7 p.m. CT on FOX, with the Brewers leading the Rays 3-1, per MLB.com ("Game 5: Tonight, 8 ET/7 CT on FOX").

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