TODAY: As expected, Altuve is now active and in the ’Stros lineup. Southpaw Cionel Perez was optioned out to make way.
YESTERDAY: Already in possession of a 48-25 record and an 8 1/2-game lead in the AL West, key reinforcements are on the way for the Astros. Second baseman Jose Altuve is set to return from the injured list Wednesday, while outfielder George Springer will embark on a rehab assignment Thursday at the Double-A level, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle was among those to report (Twitter links).
Altuve last played May 10, when he went to the IL with a left hamstring strain. The Astros then sent Altuve on a rehab stint, but he suffered a late-May setback in his right leg – on which he underwent surgery last offseason – which caused the team to shut him down. Adding to Houston’s problems, Altuve’s immediate replacement, Aledmys Diaz, hasn’t played since May 26 on account of his own left hamstring strain.
The injuries to Altuve and Diaz have left the Astros’ second base position to Tony Kemp and Jack Mayfield. Kemp has logged playable production this season, but Mayfield has struggled. Neither player has come close to approaching Altuve’s numbers. Even though this has been a down season for Altuve, a six-time All-Star and former AL MVP, he has still batted .243/.329/.472 (117 wRC+) with nine home runs in 164 plate appearances.
No Astro has been more effective on a per-PA basis this season than Springer, who slashed .308/.389/.643 (172 wRC+) with 17 HRs in 216 tries before a left hamstring strain took him down May 25. Springer divided his season between center and right field before then. For the most part, Jake Marisnick and Josh Reddick have handled those positions in Springer’s absence, though both players’ numbers have dropped since hot starts.
This team is going to be scary good when Altuve, and Springer return. You know they’ll fill in the cracks of the team at the deadline. Great farm, great FO, and young athletic controlled stars.
Jose Altuve To Return Wednesday
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Come on, dudes. That’s just reckless. You’re playing with the guy’s health. Give him a proper break, let him recover. Last thing he needs is the hassle of flying all the way to NY and playing against the Yankees.
By my calculations, the best time to activate him would be on Monday. The day after the Yankee series.
As a Yankee fan, I second this.
We see your Stanton and raise you an Altuve
Calling in the Judge
Why not IL the whole damn team.
That’s the last game in Cincy not NY but so what I’m guessing the Astros know better than you.
He is still limping and quit saying it’s his hamstring! It is his knee.
I was not aware you were the Astros team physician. That’s very cool information. What “calculations” have you used to come up with the return date?
.243, 9 homers, and 1 steal. Will someone please return the REAL Altuve?
As much as the teams have downplayed the series this 4 game set is as important as it gets in the regular season, and means alot to both clubs. I personally think this is the ALCS preview and both of these clubs will meet again in October.
Why is this more important than the 3 they played earlier this season?