What happened: Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was named the 2026 American League Most Valuable Player on Thursday. The selection marks the first MVP honor of Alvarez's major league career.

Why it matters: Alvarez captured the award after projections positioned him as the AL favorite following a dominant season at the plate. He remains under contract with Houston for two more seasons as the club transitions into the 2027 campaign.

What to watch: Major League Baseball concludes its annual awards rollout with the announcement of the 2026 National League MVP winner.