Altuve returns with heavy heart

The loss of Cruz Maria Torres was still with Jose Altuve. But the Astros second baseman insisted he was ready to return to baseball.

Altuve played his first game Saturday after spending the last four days on the bereavement list. He traveled to Maracay, Venezuela, to attend the funeral of his paternal grandmother, who died Monday at age 68. Torres helped raise Altuve and played a large role in his life.

“She was like the mom of everybody in the family,” Altuve said. “We all live like almost in the same place. We’re really close. … She was a really nice person.”

Altuve arrived in Pittsburgh on Friday but was given the day off by manager Bo Porter.

“He was really good to me in this moment. I know it’s not easy,” Altuve said. “I just appreciate all my team, everything they do for me. They text me, they call me, they wish me the best. Now I’m back to play the game hard as always.” With Altuve’s return,

was sent back to Class AAA Oklahoma City. Elmore went 4-for-11 with one RBI and of game-winning short fly for the Yankees on June 12, 2009.

Paredes’ collision with fill-in second baseman Jake Elmore was simple and embarrassing. But the reason the inexperienced right fielder was still in the game when defensive standout Brandon Barnes was on the bench was complex.

Manager Bo Porter said Barnes (ankle) and shortstop Ronny Cedeno (sinuses) weren’t available Friday. With reserve catcher Carlos Corporan on the bench and unable to play another position, the Astros’ reserve options were limited.

That’s why reliever Wesley Wright was forced to attempt a sacrifice bunt in the top of the eighth inning, yet faced only two Pirates batters. That’s also why Porter was still explaining his managing decisions indepth a day later.

“When you’re in a National League ballpark and you only have two bench players … it limits the things that you can do,” said Porter, who didn’t reveal his short bench Friday because he didn’t want to tip the Astros’ hand.

Brian T. Smith