José Altuve Returns to Lineup After Leg Scare vs. Twins

José Altuve Returns to Lineup After Leg Scare vs. Twins

José Altuve, the Astros' second baseman, is back in the lineup after a leg scare in the previous game against the Orioles. The 36-year-old Venezuelan star was pulled from Saturday's game after Zach McKinstry slid into him at second base during the seventh inning.

What Happened?

Altuve was shaken up after the play, but Astros' skipper Joe Espada told reporters that he was fine. However, it seems that Espada wanted to give Altuve an extra day off just to be on the safe side. Raynel Delgado started in his place at second base and batted ninth against the Tigers on Sunday.

Why It Matters for José Altuve

Altuve's production has been tailing off in the first half of 2026, with a .235 batting average and a .713 OPS. He's been struggling to find his form, but his recent hitting streak has given fans hope. In the last four games, Altuve has homered in back-to-back games and also has a triple, a double, and three walks.

What Comes Next?

Altuve is now 5-for-26 with two homers in eight games since coming off the injured list. His .238 average through 50 games is a full 65 points lower than his career mark of .303. The Astros will face the Royals on Sunday afternoon in Kansas City, and it will be interesting to see how Altuve performs.

Altuve's return to the lineup is a boost for the Astros, who are looking to stay competitive in the AL West. With his recent hitting streak, Altuve is showing signs of life, and fans are hoping that he can continue to contribute to the team's success.

In the game against the Orioles, Altuve notched two of his squad's five total hits, with both of them coming off of Montero. With his two-hit attack, the 36-year-old infielder is now slashing .240/.313/.395 with eight homers, 21 RBI, and one stolen base on the season.

Altuve's production looks to be finally tailing off in the 16th year of his MLB career. However, his recent hitting streak has given fans hope that he can continue to contribute to the team's success.

The Astros won the game 6-3 despite being outhomered three to one and outhit 11 to six. Altuve's return to the lineup is a welcome sight for the team, and fans are hoping that he can continue to perform well.

category: club_news