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Altuve went 4-for-4 with two solo home runs, two singles, a walk and four runs scored in Monday's 8-1 win over the Red Sox.
Altuve delivered a massive performance from the top of the lineup, reaching base in all five plate appearances while launching his first two home runs of the season in back-to-back trips to the plate. Both long balls came off Johan Oviedo and both cleared the left field porch to extend Houston's lead. While Altuve's no longer in his prime, flashes like this are a reminder that the elite bat speed that defined the 35-year-old's career is still very much there, and if the power sticks, he could push past his 2025 home run total of 26.
Astros' Jose Altuve: Focusing on second base this spring
Rotowire
Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Altuve will spend most of spring training working exclusively at second base, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Altuve was the Astros' Opening Day left fielder last season and wound up splitting his time pretty evenly between left field, second base and designated hitter. This season, however, he appears slated to return to his natural second base position on an everyday basis. Zach Cole looks like the favorite to see most of the reps in left field for Houston.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Healthy to start spring
Rotowire
Altuve (foot) is healthy to start spring training and is expected to serve as the Astros' primary second baseman this season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Altuve dealt with a rocky transition to left field to start the 2025 campaign and finished the year with a nagging foot injury, resulting in a .265 batting average, the lowest of his career apart from the 2020 shortened season. Now healthy and back at second base, Altuve will look to rebound in 2026. Manager Joe Espada emphasized the 35-year-old Altuve's health earlier in the offseason, stating that he needs to "help Jose have the right amount of time to be off his feet." With Houston's current surplus of infielders, it seems likely that Altuve will at least play fewer than the 155 games he did in 2025.
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