The Houston Astros are getting their longest-tenured player back.
Ahead of their weekend series against the Athletics, the Astros announced that they have reinstated Jose Altuve from the 10-day injured list (oblique) and are optioning Zach Dezenzo to Triple-A Sugar Land.
Altuve has missed the last three weeks for the Astros due to a Grade 2 oblique strain, which he suffered during an at-bat against the Texas Rangers on May 16. He was placed on the IL shortly thereafter.
The initial timetable for Altuve was four to six weeks. The 36-year-old also did not need to go on a rehab assignment, which was certainly a surprise considering oblique strains tend to take a long time to fully heal.
Houston now officially has their All-Star second baseman back, who is batting fifth tonight against the aforementioned Athletics. During Altuve's absence, the Astros went 9-8 in the 17 games he missed.
In 42 games this season, Altuve is slashing .245/.326/.380 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 27 runs scored, a .706 OPS and one stolen base. Altuve's OPS is also the lowest it's been since the COVID-shortened season in 2020, when he posted a .630 OPS in 48 games.
As for Dezenzo, he is heading back to Triple-A after going just 9-for-47 (.191) with one home run and two RBI in 21 games for Houston.
The Astros begin Friday in fourth place in the American League West at 28-36 but are still only 5.5 games out of first place. Houston will look to get back to .500 in a weak AL.
