Altuve eager to get back to work
Second baseman expected to return to the lineup tonight
SEATTLE — Crouched inside his spacious locker at Safeco Field, Jose Altuve reached for a baseball he was proud to showcase for a small group of reporters. The single he hit in Tacoma on Sunday afternoon was the first Class AAA hit of the 28-yearold second baseman’s professional career.
“He was so proud of it. He was giddy,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “They wrote on it. I hadn’t even thought that he had never played in Triple-A before. He’d never been hurt before, never been on the DL, and never played in Triple-A. He got to check a lot of boxes.”
The ball was quickly thrown to the dugout and authenticated.
“I got two first hits this year — All-Star (Game) and Triple-A,” Altuve said with a grin. “So I’m really proud.”
Altuve kept it by his side during a three-minute interview at Safeco Field. A Fresno Grizzlies hat sat on the second shelf of his locker, just below Astros regalia he will, at long last, don for a meaningful game.
The six-time All-Star and reigning American League MVP is slated to be activated prior to Tuesday’s game against the Mariners, ending the first trip to the disabled list of his eight-year major league career — a 21-game absence that derailed a humming Astros offense and enveloped the often joyous Altuve with un-
certainty.
“When he got hurt, I think he was scared,” Hinch said Monday. “He didn’t know what it meant and the severity of it or when he was going to feel better. This is a guy who has never really had a problem. … I think that he was in uncharted territory. He didn’t know how to feel or what to think, and he was very nervous. Rightfully so.”
Altuve spoke to reporters Monday with more levity than at any point since the right knee injury forced him from the field. Often, questions of his health or prognosis were met with uneasiness and incomplete answers.
Monday, he was more direct. He joshed one inquirer who wondered what Altuve would do during pregame work.
“Dinner,” Altuve deadpanned, before unleashing a wry smile. “I’m going to hit, catch ground balls. A normal day with the boys.”
Altuve collected a hit in three at-bats and was also hit by a pitch Sunday with Class AAA Fresno. He ran from first base to third base on a base hit and, another time, was forced to make a hard turn at first base.
A blooping single by a Tacoma hitter required Altuve to run from his position at second base. Ground balls hit to him were fielded without issue.
“Now that he’s been able to build back a little confidence, get some soreness out, go play a game and feel good about his change of direction on defense and offense, I think he’s a lot more confident that we’re going to be OK,” Hinch said.
The lineup to which he will return might inherit the same feeling.
Altuve was placed on the disabled list July 25. Since then, the Astros produced a .222 batting average — the lowest of all major league teams. Their .289 on-base percentage was higher than only the tanking Miami Marlins. The Astros entered Monday’s game 8-12 during his absence.
Should Altuve, George Springer and Carlos Correa start against Mariners righty Mike Leake, it will be the first time since June 25 the Astros deploy a lineup with their three pillars.
Springer’s sudden left leg soreness Monday put that possibility in peril.
Altuve completed pregame work Monday without noticeable issue. His return is direly needed to complete a playoff push and hold off two surging American League West adversaries.
“I’m really excited,” Altuve said. “This is a great team. You guys know I love every single part of this team and the way they play. We’re in first place, and most likely, we’re going to the playoffs. I have a lot of confidence in my teammates, and I want to be just part of this.”