The Houston Astros might have a real problem on their hands. Jose Altuve, who only came back from an oblique strain about a month ago, hobbled off the field Thursday night against the Tigers after a collision at second base. It looked bad.
The play happened in the bottom of the seventh inning. Detroit’s Zach McKinstry came in hard on a steal attempt, and the two tangled up at the bag. Altuve stayed down for a moment, got up and tried to shake it off, but he was clearly moving differently. He lasted a few more pitches before Raynel Delgado replaced him at second base.
Mike Kurland, a baseball analyst who covers the Astros, shared video of the play on social media and noted the obvious: Altuve didn’t look right. Kurland speculated that if Altuve has to miss time, Brice Matthews could be the guy who sees the bulk of the playing time. That’s not nothing. Matthews is a prospect, but he’s not Jose Altuve.
The Oblique Problem Might Not Be Going Away
Here’s the part that has to worry Houston most. Altuve originally went down on May 16 with a Grade 2 oblique strain. That’s not a minor tweak. That’s a muscle tear that typically costs a player multiple weeks. He returned June 3 and had been playing well, batting .305 in the 22 games since his return. But the initial reports from the dugout Thursday night suggested this might be a re-injury of that same oblique.
The Astros were trailing 6-5 at the time of the injury. That’s secondary. What matters is whether Altuve’s season is about to take another detour. He’s 36, and while he’s still an elite contact hitter, those oblique injuries can linger and become chronic if not handled carefully.
Houston hasn’t released an official update yet, but the team is probably holding its breath. Altuve is the heart of that lineup, and the Astros are fighting to stay in the AL West race. Losing him again for any extended stretch would be a serious blow.
Delgado is a utility infielder. He’s not going to replace what Altuve brings. Matthews, a 2023 first-round pick, has been tearing it up at Triple-A Sugar Land, hitting .287 with 12 homers and 25 steals. He’s fast, he’s athletic, and he’s got the kind of quick-twitch movements that play well at second base. But he’s also 23 and has never faced major league pitching in a pennant race. That’s a lot to ask.
For now, everyone waits. Altuve will likely get imaging done Friday, and the Astros will make a decision from there. If it’s another oblique strain, even a mild one, you’re probably looking at another three to four weeks on the IL. And that changes everything for a team that can’t afford to fall further behind in the standings.
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