Houston Astros’ star player, Jose Altuve, exited Saturday’s victory against the Texas Rangers prematurely, with general manager Dana Brown indicating a suspected oblique injury.
Brown conveyed during a pregame radio broadcast on Sunday that initial indications suggested Altuve had sustained an oblique issue. Altuve was slated for imaging scans on the injury later that Sunday. The general manager refrained from disclosing specifics regarding the injury’s seriousness or an estimated recovery timeline for Altuve’s return.
“One can only hope it isn’t too severe,” Brown commented, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
The incident occurred in the eighth inning of Saturday’s game while Houston maintained a 4-1 advantage. Altuve grounded into a double play and immediately clutched his left side.
He proceeded directly to the Astros’ locker room, making no effort to run to first base, and did not participate further in the contest.
Should the injury be confirmed as an oblique strain, it would represent his second such injury since the 2023 season. Altuve spent a total of 20 days on the injured list last season due to a left oblique ailment.
Altuve boasts an impressive career, being a nine-time All-Star, a seven-time Silver Slugger award recipient, and a former AL MVP. In the 42 games he played prior to this injury, Altuve posted a batting line of .245/.326/.380, complemented by 4 home runs, 12 runs batted in, and 1 stolen base.
Altuve could potentially be added to an already extensive list of injured Astros players, which currently includes shortstop Jeremy Peña, outfielder Jake Meyers, starting pitcher Hunter Brown, closer Josh Hader, and third baseman Carlos Correa, whose season has concluded due to a torn tendon in his left ankle.
These injuries have contributed significantly to a difficult start for the Houston team this season, as the Astros’ record stood at 19-28 heading into Sunday.
