The Houston Astros have bobbled the beginning of the 2026 season, sitting in final place of the American League West division greater than midway via the primary month of the season. They have struggled tremendously on the street, profitable only one contest of the ten performed away from Daikin Field.
Fresh off a win towards the Colorado Rockies of their return house after an eight-game dropping streak, Astros supervisor Joe Espada made a change to the lineup.
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Espada is resting designated hitterJose Altuve for Wednesday’s contest towards the Rockies. Altuve had began the primary 18 video games of the season and is getting a a lot wanted reprieve (h/t Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle).
In 66 at-bats this season Altuve is hitting a .288 common alongside 19 hits, 6 RBIs and a couple of house runs. The two-time World Series champion has traditionally been certainly one of Houston‘s best hitters, posting a profession .303 batting common throughout his 16 seasons with the group.
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Yordan Álvarez will begin in Altuve’s place towards the Rockies, trying to preserve constructing on his spectacular begin to the season. In 60 at-bats this season, the 2022 ALCS Most Valuable Player has posted a .317 batting common with 19 hits, 16 RBIs and 6 house runs.
At second base, depth stays slim as Altuve is joined by utility Isaac Paredes as the one two gamers who frequent the place. Paredes joined the Astros final season and is batting .234 with 11 hits and 6 RBIs this season.
Houston Astros left fielder Jose AltuveTroy Taormina-Imagn Images
The reeling Astros are additionally persevering with to fall prey to the harm bug, having positioned shortstop Jeremy Peña and pitchers Hunter Brown, Christian Javier and blockbuster winter signing Tatsuya Imai on the injured listing this previous Monday. With their positions persevering with to be impacted, Espada’s resting of Altuve serves as a precautionary measure as to not put on out the 35-year-old.
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The Astros have been defensive of Daikin Park up to now, solely dropping two of their eight video games at house. They will play 5 extra earlier than returning to the street for a brief sequence towards the Baltimore Orioles subsequent week.
Altuve is getting into the second 12 months of a five-year $125 million contract that he signed in February of final 12 months. The 2017 American League MVP is already displaying that he can nonetheless compete at that kind and lift the group to a championship stage this 12 months.
Related: Astros Place All-Star On IL With Concerning Injury
This story was initially revealed by Athlon Sports on Apr 15, 2026, the place it first appeared within the MLB part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
