Good afternoon, Houston.

Things are starting to look up for the injury-laden Astros as they slog through a season of setbacks.

Slugger Yordan Alvarez is nearing a return from a right hand injury and will begin a minor-league rehab assignment in Corpus Christi on Tuesday. 

They're also finding ways to win with a supporting cast of unheralded names. Matt Kawahara explores the players carrying the Astros right now.

Here's the rest of the news.

Alexandria Alejandro, Audience Producer alexandria.alejandro@houstonchronicle.com

3 stories you shouldn't miss

Paul Jacob's Hiram Clarke BBQ brings Louisiana flavor to Houston plates

With such items as collard greens, Cajun stew and dirty rice on the menu, he's building a brand based on his 'Tex-Lou' heritage.

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Texas has more Hispanic and male nurses than ever before, according to data

Texas has seen a significant increase in Hispanic registered nurses, and the share of men has increased by more than 50% since 2000, data shows.

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Houston unveils Train Watch tool to help residents avoid blocked crossings

Houston has launched Train Watch, an online dashboard that provides near-real-time updates on railroad crossing activity and tools for reporting blocked crossings.

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The ultimate Harris County property tax guide We created custom data tools to make protesting your property tax appraisal as simple as possible. Never pay more for taxes than you have to.

1 story to bring you joy

Chuck E. Cheese drops full-length music albums in Spanish and Arabic

“Chuck E. Cha Cha” and “Mis Amigos Y Yo” are among the new tracks.

7 stories you may have missed this week

After 50 years of deadly floods, Central Texas still has lessons to learn After the Kerr County floods killed more than 100 people, Hill Country history offers some perspective on what can be done to prepare for the next flood. Plus: Democrats say Greg Abbott is holding up flood relief. Are they right?

Exclusive: HPD officers nearly tripled their pay with overtime, data shows Over the past five fiscal years, seven out of the 10 highest police overtime earners worked in traffic enforcement and, together, banked a whopping $3.5 million in overtime alone.

Texas DA who charged abortion patient with murder accused of once paying for one Three years after Texas prosecutors charged a woman with murder for inducing her own abortion, the local district attorney is accused of paying for an abortion while having an affair decades ago.

Why is a green card holder detained by ICE in Houston begging to be deported? A green card holder who has lived in the United States for more than three decades is pleading to be deported because he’s not receiving the medication he needs.

This Houston suburb is 'the hottest ZIP code' for movers in the U.S. right now A new analysis of nationwide relocations finds that Cypress, northwest of Houston, leads the nation in inbound moves.  Plus: Houston homes got slightly more affordable in second quarter, report says

Blue waters return to Galveston's beaches Why is Galveston water blue? Texas extreme weather and data scientist weighs in on the color changes.

The best burgers in Houston The burger scene in Houston may not receive the same attention as barbecue, steakhouses or Mexican restaurants, but it’s just as prolific and in demand. Plus: The untold origin story of Trump Burger