Jose Altuve has moved one step closer to returning to the Houston Astros after making progress in his recovery from an oblique injury. According to reporter Brian McTaggart, Altuve traveled back to Houston on Thursday and will work out with the Astros during the club’s upcoming homestand.
The second baseman spent the past few days rehabbing at Houston’s spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. The update marked another positive sign for the Astros as Altuve continues recovering from a Grade 2 oblique strain.
Houston placed Altuve on the 10-day injured list on May 18 after he suffered the injury during a game earlier that week. Since then, the Astros have carefully monitored his rehab process while gradually increasing his baseball activities.
Altuve has already started working through conditioning drills and baseball workouts in Florida. Now, the Astros want him closer to the major league staff as he moves toward the next stage of recovery. Although no official return date has been announced, Altuve’s return to Houston suggests his rehabilitation process is moving in the right direction.
Before the injury, Altuve played 42 games and batted .245 with four home runs, 10 doubles, 12 RBIs and a .706 OPS. Although those numbers are below his usual standards, Altuve still remains an important part of Houston’s lineup.
The 36-year-old is one of the most accomplished players in franchise history, owning a .304 career batting average with 2,311 hits, 233 home runs, 844 RBIs and 320 stolen bases across 15 major league seasons.
Houston has struggled to find offensive consistency without Altuve in the lineup. The Astros entered Thursday with a 25-32 record and sat fourth in the American League West, three games behind the division-leading Seattle Mariners.
Yordan Alvarez has continued carrying much of the offense for Houston. The slugger entered Thursday batting .298 with 13 home runs, 39 RBIs and a .927 OPS.
© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Jeremy Peña has also helped stabilize the lineup while Altuve remains sidelined. The shortstop entered Thursday hitting .287 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs. The Astros completed a four-game series victory over the Texas Rangers on Thursday with a 5-1 win at Globe Life Field.
Peña opened the game with a leadoff homer, while Isaac Paredes added a two-run shot later in the first inning. Spencer Arrighetti improved to 7-1 after allowing only one run across six innings.
The Astros finished an impressive 7-3 on their road trip against the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs and Rangers.
