WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Jose Altuve is back in south Florida for spring training, but this year feels different. With Alex Bregman absent, there’s buzz about whether Altuve might be shifting from his long-time spot at second base to left field.
While speculation has surrounded Altuve’s potential position change since January, he hasn’t confirmed anything. Team officials say he’ll practice at both positions during spring training. Regardless of whether he stays at second this season, the team’s future at that position seems uncertain.
One player to watch is Brice Matthews, Houston’s first-round pick from the 2023 draft. He’s moving up through the minors and could play a key role. “He recognizes the opportunity at the major-league level,” said manager Joe Espada. “We just need to polish his skills and help him become a more complete hitter.”
Last season, Matthews moved up three levels in the minor leagues, hitting .252/.376/.497 in Double-A. However, he struggled with strikeouts, facing challenges against breaking pitches, as noted by analysts. Espada emphasized that becoming a consistent hitter is crucial for Matthews to succeed.
At 23, Matthews has experience at second base, having started 11 games there during winter ball in Puerto Rico, where he impressed Espada with his defensive skills. His ability to adapt is vital with the Astros potentially needing a second baseman if Altuve moves to left field.
Espada has already announced that Matthews will start at second base in the team’s opening game of the Grapefruit League. “I can play wherever they tell me,” he said, excited about the opportunity.
If Altuve transitions to left field, the Astros may need to look for another second baseman. Mauricio Dubón is a strong candidate for the role. He stepped in as the starting second baseman two seasons ago when Altuve was sidelined and performed well, hitting .309 in that stretch. Dubón expressed his enthusiasm for the possibility of playing regularly again, stating, “I just want to be out there every day.”
Diversifying options, the Astros might also consider platooning Dubón with other left-handed hitting infielders if needed.
On the pitching side, Forrest Whitley is shifting from a starting role to the bullpen this season. There’s hope he can become a reliable multi-inning reliever to help cover innings, especially early in the season when starters are still ramping up.
Whitley is out of minor-league options, so he needs to earn a spot on the Astros’ Opening Day roster. Team officials recognize his talent and want to maximize his contributions. “We’ll gradually build him up,” said Espada. “I expect him to give us more than three outs.”
In other news, Lance McCullers Jr. continues to monitor the state of baseball, advocating against a salary cap and viewing big-market teams like the Dodgers as simply pursuing their chance to win. He acknowledged that while some teams treat the luxury tax like a cap, each organization has the discretion to manage its budget as they see fit.
As spring training unfolds, all eyes will be on how these ongoing changes impact the Astros in the coming season.
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