Jose Altuve, the veteran second baseman for the Astros, left the game against the Rangers due to a left side injury. During the bottom of the eighth, he hit a ground ball but didn’t run to first, grabbing his left side and walking toward the dugout instead. Nick Allen took over for him in the ninth inning.
Astros manager Joe Espada mentioned that Altuve will have imaging done tomorrow to assess the injury. At 36 years old, he has faced injuries before, including a left oblique issue last August that sidelined him for three weeks. He also dealt with left hamstring strains in 2022 and 2019. Given his age and injury history, there’s a chance he could end up on the injured list again.
Though still a leader on the team, Altuve’s performance has slipped. His batting stats show a decrease; he recorded a 113 wRC+ in 2025, which means he was above average but not All-Star caliber. Currently, in 2026, his batting line is .245/.328/.365, putting him below league average by 3%. In contrast, teammates like Yordan Alvarez and Christian Walker are shining, leaving Altuve struggling as one of the weaker hitters on the roster.
The Astros’ overall situation isn’t great either. They stand at 19-28, sitting in fourth place in the NL West. The main issue has been pitching injuries, including their ace, Hunter Brown, who is recovering from a shoulder strain. Espada confirmed that Brown is set to throw live batting practice soon, and if all goes well, he could begin a rehab assignment shortly after.
Brown’s return is crucial for the team, as he had an impressive 2.43 ERA last year and was a Cy Young contender. Closer Josh Hader is also on the mend, expected back in early June following five more rehab appearances. The Astros desperately need them, as their bullpen currently has the worst ERA in the majors at 5.81.
With key players like Altuve and Brown on the mend, the coming weeks will be pivotal for the Astros. Their ability to bounce back will rely on the health of their roster and improving their performance, especially on the mound.
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