Astros' Jose Altuve: Facing two-plus-month absence
Rotowire
The Astros announced Altuve underwent right thumb surgery Wednesday in Houston and general manager Dana Brown confirmed the second baseman won't be able to resume baseball activities for two months, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Altuve fractured the thumb after he was hit by a pitch Saturday while playing for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. With the infielder likely out through the end of May and possibly the early part of June while he rehabs from surgery, David Hensley and Mauricio Dubon are expected to serve as the Astros' primary options at second base.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Undergoing surgery on thumb
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Astros general manager Dana Brown confirmed Sunday that Altuve has a fractured right thumb and will undergo surgery, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Brown told reporters that the surgery will be done in the coming days as surgeons need some of the swelling to subside before the operation can occur, and that there is no timetable for Altuve's return. The former MVP was hit on his thumb by Daniel Bard during the World Baseball Classic, and imaging has revealed the fracture. Altuve will miss at least all of April while recovering, and he isn't likely to return until the middle of May at the earliest.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Facing extended absence
Rotowire
Altuve is expected to be out 8-to-10 weeks after being diagnosed with a fractured right thumb Sunday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
The initial fears of a broken thumb appear to have come to fruition after Altuve exited Saturday's World Baseball Classic game due to a hit-by-pitch. An eight-week absence would have the 32-year-old returning in mid-to-late May, but any hiccups during his rehab program could push his return well into June. David Hensley, Mauricio Dubon and Rylan Bannon should all be in the mix to see playing time at second base while Altuve is unavailable.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Initial concern is broken thumb
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The Astros fear that Altuve might have broken his right thumb Saturday during the quarterfinal of the World Baseball Classic, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Altuve was hit in the hand area by a Daniel Bard pitch, and the former MVP immediately excited the game. The initial diagnosis was a possible hand injury, but Rosenthal provides specifics that it's likely located to the thumb area. Houston will provide further updates for Altuve on Sunday, but obviously this is a significant development that managers have to keep a close eye on.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Dealing with right hand injury
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Altuve left Saturday's quarterfinal game for Team Venezuela against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic with a right hand injury, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Altuve was hit in the hand by Daniel Bard, and the infielder immediately exited and looked to be in significant pain in the dugout. The former MVP is still being evaluated, and Rosenthal reports that the Astros will provide an update on his status shortly. This would obviously be a major loss for both Houston and fantasy players if Altuve were to miss significant time.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Leaves WBC game after HBP
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Altuve left Saturday's quarterfinal for Team Venezuela against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic after being hit in the hand by a pitch, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Altuve was plunked by Daniel Bard, and immediately left the game. The Houston star has been replaced by Luis Rengifo. There should be an update on Altuve's status shortly.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Slow start to spring
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Altuve is 2-for-14 with six strikeouts in Cactus League action.
Altuve has away been away from the team to play for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, but he struggled prior to his departure. He has also gone just 2-for-12 for Team Venezuela to this point in the tournament. Altuve's track record of excellent production certainly outweighs his slow start to the exhibition season, though it would be reassuring to see him collect a few knocks once he returns to camp for the Astros.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Sets tone in Game 5
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Altuve went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and two runs scored during Thursday's 3-2 win over the Phillies in Game 5 of the World Series.
Altuve got the Houston offense started Thursday night, doubling off Noah Syndergaard to begin Game 5 and coming around to score on a single for the game's first run. The 32-year-old has now scored four times in the World Series, and he has reached base safely in four of the five games. After starting the postseason 0-for-23, Altuve is now 10-for-31 over the last seven games, heating up at just the right time for Houston. The veteran is slated to face Zack Wheeler in Game 6 with the chance to close out the series -- he was 2-for-3 with a double against Wheeler in Game 2.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Smacks three hits in Game 2
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Altuve went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored during Saturday's 5-2 win over the Phillies in Game 2 of the World Series.
Altuve set the tone in Game 2, leading off the bottom of the first inning with a double off Zack Wheeler and coming around to score the game's first run. After going 0-for-23 in his first 23 postseason at bats, Altuve has completely turned it around, going 7-for-18 in the last four games and achieving a four-game hitting streak. The 32-year-old is heating up at the perfect time for the Astros as they head to Philadelphia for Game 3. Altuve is 0-for-5 with one walk in six career plate appearances against projected Game 3 starter Noah Syndergaard.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Swipes bag in loss
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Altuve went 1-for-5 with a stolen base during Friday night's 6-5 loss to the Phillies in Game 1 of the World Series.
Altuve had a rough time at the plate Friday night, but he was able to single with two outs in the ninth inning and steal second base off Seranthony Dominguez, putting the potential winning run in scoring position. This marked Altuve's first steal of the playoffs after he stole 18 during the regular season, but he's hitting just .108 across 37 at-bats in the postseason with only one extra-base hit.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Will sit Wednesday
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Manager Dusty Baker said Altuve will rest Wednesday against the Phillies in the final game of the regular season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Altuve went 3-for-3 with two doubles and a run scored during Tuesday's 10-0 victory, raising his slash line to .300/.387/.533 through 141 games. The 32-year-old totaled 39 doubles, 28 home runs, 18 stolen bases, 57 RBI and 102 runs this season, and he'll now turn his attention to the playoffs, which the Astros will begin Oct. 11 in the ALDS.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Day off Wednesday
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Altuve isn't starting Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.
Altuve has had multi-hit performances in two of the last four games, and he's gone 6-for-15 with three home runs, two doubles, eight runs, four RBI, four walks and a strikeout over that stretch. He'll get a breather while Aledmys Diaz starts at the keystone and bats second.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Power on display Tuesday
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Altuve went 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double, two RBI and four runs scored in Tuesday's 10-2 victory over the Diamondbacks.
Altuve had a huge day at the plate Tuesday. He led off the game for Houston with a long ball and knocked a second home run in the sixth inning to record his first multi-homer game since July 30, 2021. He increased his season-long home run total to 28. He also recorded his 35th double of the season, his highest mark since hitting 39 in 2017.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Homers, scores three runs
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Altuve went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored in Saturday's 11-10 victory over Baltimore.
Altuve launched a two-run homer to center field in the third inning to extend his hitting streak to six games. He also drew two walks in the game and came around to score a run on each occasion. The star second baseman has been quite productive in September, hitting .355 with four home runs, seven RBI and 19 runs scored so far. He's also walked 11 times and stolen six bases over that span.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Two knocks in return
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Altuve went 2-for-4 with a double Friday against the Orioles.
Altuve returned to the lineup after a one-game absence caused by an elbow issue. He showed no ill effects and extended his hitting streak to five games, during which he's collected 10 hits across 17 at-bats with six runs scored. Altuve has had an excellent season with a .297/.384/.515 slash line across 571 plate appearances.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Returns to lineup
Rotowire
Altuve (elbow) is starting Friday against the Orioles.
Altuve sat out Thursday due to an elbow injury, but he'll start at the keystone and lead off following his one-game absence. The 32-year-old is riding a four-game hitting streak in which he's gone 8-for-13 with a solo homer, six runs, a stolen base, two walks and a strikeout.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Not starting Thursday
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Altuve (elbow) isn't in the lineup Thursday against Baltimore.
Altuve was removed from Wednesday's game after being hit in the elbow by a pitch, and he'll be held out of the lineup a day later. However, he underwent X-rays that came back negative and expects to play Friday against the Orioles, per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle. Aledmys Diaz will draw the start at the keystone and bat seventh Thursday.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Exits game early
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Altuve left Wednesday's game early after being hit in the elbow by a pitch, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Altuve stayed in the game briefly after being hit by a pitch in the fifth inning, but he was eventually replaced by Mauricio Dubon in the sixth. The Astros will take a look at Altuve's elbow and provide further updates once they receive results. For now, he should be considered day-to-day.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Swats leadoff homer
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Altuve went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run in Monday's 4-0 defeat of the Rays.
Altuve took Drew Rasmussen deep to left field in the first inning for his 11th leadoff homer of the campaign. That ranks as the most leadoff home runs in the league this season and is two short of the MLB record for a single campaign. Altuve is up to 25 long balls this year, marking the third time in four seasons that he has reached that mark (with the exception being the severely shortened 2020 campaign).
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Astros' Jose Altuve: On bench Thursday
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Altuve isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Athletics.
Altuve will receive a rare day off after he hit .364 with five runs, two steals, a walk and five strikeouts over the last five games. Aledmys Diaz will take over at the keystone and bat second Thursday.
