HOUSTON, TX — Bad news out of the Houston Astros’ clubhouse on Thursday. During a season already filled with multiple injury-related issues across the board, the Astros placed Jose Altuve on the 10-Day Injured List. The move was made retroactively to July 4, when Altuve missed his first game due to what the team described as “left oblique discomfort.” The Astros said that Altuve is expected to undergo an MRI while on the injured list.
This is the second time this season that Altuve will miss significant time on the diamond. The former AL MVP missed the first two months of the 2023 MLB season due to a broken thumb suffered in the World Baseball Classic. Houston general manager Dana Brown said Wednesday there isn't "any rush to bring [Altuve] back," noting the Astros will exercise caution with just four games before the All-Star break.
Altuve has put up solid numbers in the 32 games he’s played for the Astros this season. So far, he has a .264 batting average with six home runs, five stolen bases, 18 RBIs, and 25 runs scored. While these numbers are worse than normal for Altuve, once he is healthy, his numbers are expected to improve.
Moving the Astros’ second baseman to the IL was part of several moves Houston made before the All-Star break. Houston optioned lefty pitcher Parker Mushinski to AAA Sugar Land, while infielder David Hensley and right-handed pitcher Ronel Blanco were recalled to the MLB club. Blanco, who is 2-0 with a 4.73 ERA in 40 innings this season, is set to make his sixth start of the year on Thursday against the Seattle Mariners.
Houston Astros Jose Altuve
(Credit: abc7nyc.com)
Houston has a 49-38 overall record and sits in second place in the AL West, two games behind the Texas Rangers. The Astros are still without its power hitter, Yordan Alvarez. Mauricio Dubón will start in Altuve's place at second base on Thursday. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
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