<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-jose-altuve-defensive-future-jacob-melton-call-up');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ Jose Altuve’s defensive future revealed amid prospect call-up');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Jose-Altuve-with-Houston-Astros-1.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros’ Jose Altuve’s defensive future revealed amid prospect call-up</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-11T22:58:05-07:00">June 11th, 10:58pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-11T22:58:05-07:00">June 11th, 10:58pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros are reshuffling their outfield dynamics, but <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/astros-rumors-houston-urged-trade-moves-jose-altuve">Jose Altuve’s role</a> remains unchanged despite a recent shakeup. Manager Joe Espada confirmed this week that Altuve will continue to see time in left field, even after top outfield prospect Jacob Melton was called up and inserted into the lineup.</p><p>In an article by The Houston Chronicle’s Matt Kawahara, Espada addressed speculation about Altuve’s future in the outfield.</p><p>“Jose Altuve’s going to go back to left field and he’s going to play some left field,” Espada said before Wednesday’s game. “I want to take a good look here at Melton… but getting the lefty bat in there, trying to give Melton some starts in left field is something that I’ve been wanting to get him to the big leagues for.”</p><p>Melton has made six starts in left since his June 1 call-up, which coincided with a reduced outfield presence for Altuve. However, this doesn’t indicate a demotion—rather, a strategic effort to evaluate Melton while maintaining lineup flexibility. The Astros are looking to experiment while remaining competitive in the AL West.</p><p>Altuve, who started 32 of the team’s first 59 games in left field, has instead been used more often at second base or designated hitter in recent outings. The shift has paid off, as Houston’s infield defense has looked noticeably sharper, with measurable improvements in both efficiency and range.</p><p>As for <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-star-prospect-shows-off-elite-speed-first-career-hit">Melton, he’s still finding his footing</a> at the plate (4-for-23 with 9 strikeouts), but Espada is encouraged by his at-bats and defensive versatility.</p><p>“I don’t think he’s been overwhelmed by the stage,” Espada said. “I like the defense, I like the speed on the bases… good strike-zone discipline.”</p><p>For now, the Astros lineup is evolving—not replacing. Altuve remains a key part of the defensive and offensive strategy, and Melton’s trial run offers depth more than displacement. Expect Houston to continue adjusting based on matchups, defensive metrics, and development goals as the season progresses.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ Jose Altuve’s defensive future revealed amid prospect call-up

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/astros-rumors-houston-urged-trade-moves-jose-altuve');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros rumors: Houston urged to make trade that moves Jose Altuve');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Houston-Astros-second-baseman-Jose-Altuve.jpg"><figcaption>Ken Blaze-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros rumors: Houston urged to make trade that moves Jose Altuve</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-10T12:24:11-07:00">June 10th, 12:24pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-10T15:38:38-07:00">June 10th, 3:38pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros are 6-4 in their last 10 games and have a three-game lead in the American League West. However, Astros general manager Dana Brown finds himself under pressure ahead of this year’s trade deadline.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-christian-walker-nolan-arenado-trade-fiasco">Houston made some significant moves this offseason, including bringing in Christian Walker</a>. However, Yordan Alvarez’s slump and Jose Altuve playing in left field instead of at second base has experts encouraging the team to bring in a veteran outfielder.</p><p>The exit of Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs this offseason left a hole in the Astros’ outfield. For lack of a better option, Altuve moved from his primary position at second base into the outfield.</p><p>Since making the move, the 35-year-old has been terrible on defense, posting a DWAR of -1.4 so far this season. Because of that, ESPN’s Brad Doolittle wants Brown to bring in a player who can <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45479935/2025-mlb-trade-deadline-stock-watch-30-teams-tigers-dodgers-mets-cubs-yankees" rel="noopener">help the veteran get back into the infield</a>.</p><p>Doolittle examined all 30 teams in Major League Baseball, ranking them by how aggressive they should be at the deadline. To him, addressing the hole in the outfield should be their chief concern.</p><p>“The offense is at its lowest ebb since the rebuilding days more than a decade ago,” Doolittle said. “Houston will have to hope for positive regression in some cases — Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, Yordan Alvarez’s health.</p><p>“That might be enough to keep Houston alive into October once again. Still, any kind of roster reconfiguring that gets Altuve out of left field might not be the worst idea.”</p><p>There are left fielders available in the trade market this summer, led by Chicago White Sox star Luis Robert Jr. However, it is up to Brown to find a price that works for the Astros moving forward.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-rumors-jeff-passan-lays-trade-deadline-fate-at-feet-of-injured-star">Alvarez is still out with injury</a>, and he, Walker, and Altuve have struggled. However, Houston is still in line to receive a playoff spot, giving them one more chance at adding a title to their dynasty. Making the right move is crucial, and each move the team makes could make or break their season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros rumors: Houston urged to make trade that moves Jose Altuve

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-jose-altuve-goes-yard-massive-home-run-vs-athletics');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ Jose Altuve goes yard with massive home run vs. Athletics');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Astros-Jose-Altuve-smiles-after-hitting-a-home-run.jpg"><figcaption>Thomas Shea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros’ Jose Altuve goes yard with massive home run vs. Athletics</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-05-27T19:47:57-07:00">May 27th, 7:47pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-05-27T19:48:07-07:00">May 27th, 7:48pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Houston Astros fans believe the team can re-establish itself as an American League contender <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-manager-evasive-yordan-alvarez-injury-timeline">if Yordan Alvarez can stay healthy</a> and the pitching staff avoids any more brutal injury setbacks, but there is a key X-factor that should not be dismissed. What if Jose Altuve provides decent production?</p><p>The franchise great has displayed signs of serious decline this season, struggling to generate extra-base power at the plate and failing to make a smooth <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/concerning-jose-altuve-stat-will-raise-eyebrows-of-houston-fans">transition to the outfield</a>. His offensive shortcomings have naturally commanded most of the attention, due to a subpar .376 slugging percentage and .685 OPS. But Altuve significantly elevated those numbers in Tuesday’s thrashing of the Athletics.</p><p>The 2017 American League MVP and seven-time Silver Slugger Award winner <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1927532167422152861" rel="noopener">belted a solo home run</a> in the third inning to increase the Astros’ lead to 5-0. He then went yard again in the sixth, smashing a 410-foot two-run shot. Altuve had four hits overall in the 11-1 victory.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jose Altuve HAMMERS a solo home run into the Crawford Boxes 🚀<a href="https://t.co/VSuQiR3PkG">pic.twitter.com/VSuQiR3PkG</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1927532167422152861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Considering he only had six dingers and six doubles entering this game, it is encouraging for fans to see the nine-time All-Star send the ball over the fence in Daikin Park.</p><p>If he can return to being the reliable offensive contributor who has captivated Space City for more than a decade, this ballclub can plausibly gain control of the AL West — trail Seattle Mariners by one and a half games. Altuve has been the key to Houston’s enduring success, and regardless of how the roster looks in 2025, the same could be true again this season.</p><h2><b>How much longer will this run last for Jose Altuve, Astros?</b></h2><p>Despite undergoing significant changes in leadership and personnel, the Astros have managed to either post a winning record or reach the playoffs in each of the last 10 years. During that stellar stretch, which does include the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers/dodgers-news-clayton-kershaw-houston-scandal-they-cheated">sign-stealing cheating scandal</a>, Houston has won two World Series championships, four American League pennants and seven divisional titles. Even after the controversy, they remain relevant. No. 27 has helped cultivate this culture of consistency.</p><p>But asking him to post impressive production at 35 years old is a tall order. The Venezuelan has accumulated a ton of mileage since debuting in 2011 and can only hold off Father Time for so long. Though, even a diminished Jose Altuve can give pitchers fits. He terrorized the Athletics and now has four home runs in the last week.</p><p>The possible Hall of Famer is heating up and the Astros are in arm’s reach of first place. Most people call this deja vu, but 29 other MLB teams call it a never-ending migraine.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ Jose Altuve goes yard with massive home run vs. Athletics

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-joe-espada-jose-altuve-injury-return-goal');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ Joe Espada reveals Jose Altuve injury return goal');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Jose-Altuve-with-Houston-Astros-1.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros’ Joe Espada reveals Jose Altuve injury return goal</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-05-11T14:50:37-07:00">May 11th, 2:50pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-05-11T14:50:37-07:00">May 11th, 2:50pm</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros smoked the Cincinnati Reds 6-0 on Sunday to take the series against the National League foe. They did it without the face of their franchise, as <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-fall-reds-jose-altuve-injury-lance-mccullers-jr-struggles">Jose Altuve missed the game with a hamstring injury</a>. After a Hall of Fame career at second base, Altuve has been playing left field to mixed reviews so far this year. Astros manager Joe Espada <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45098043/jose-altuve-hamstring-astros-lineup-vs-reds" rel="noopener">was optimistic about</a> Altuve’s injury before the game on Sunday.</p><p>“Altuve departed Saturday’s game against the Reds because of the injury, with the team not expected to put its veteran on the injured list as of now,” Field Level Media reported. “Astros manager Joe Espada said before Sunday’s game that he hopes Altuve can play again either Monday or Tuesday in a home series against the Kansas City Royals.”</p><p>Without Altuve in the lineup, the Astros’ pitching stepped up in the win. Ronel Blanco racked up a career-high 11 strikeouts in eight innings. Shawn Dubin came in to finish off the game, completing a two-hit shutout for Houston. That win brings them over .500 to 20-19, and within three games of the first-place Seattle Mariners.</p><p>Altuve had played every day entering Sunday’s game, but provided diminishing returns on both sides of the ball. He is hitting .259 with a below-average .682 OPS. Altuve’s strikeout struggles carried over into this season, with a strikeout rate of 18.2%. Last year, he set his non-2020 career worst with a 17.6% K-rate.</p><p>After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-gm-admission-juan-soto-deal-kyle-tucker-trade">losing Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker this offseason</a>, the Astros needed a great season out of Altuve and Yordan Alvarez. Both are now dealing with injuries as the AL West settles in around them. Everyone except for the Angels is above .500 and will challenge for the division crown.</p><p>The Astros host the Royals for the first of three games on Monday at 7:10 p.m. Central time.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ Joe Espada reveals Jose Altuve injury return goal

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-fall-reds-jose-altuve-injury-lance-mccullers-jr-struggles');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros fall to Reds after Jose Altuve injury, Lance McCullers Jr. struggles');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Houston-Astros-second-baseman-Jose-Altuve-27-walks-on-the-field.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Astros fall to Reds after Jose Altuve injury, Lance McCullers Jr. struggles</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-05-10T20:03:13-07:00">May 10th, 8:03pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-05-10T20:04:41-07:00">May 10th, 8:04pm</time><address><a>Matty Breisch</a>Matty Breisch is a Senior Editor who specializes in NFL and WWE content at ClutchPoints. He can be read at Heavy, FanSided, The Needle Drop, Philadelphia Sports Network, and right here at ClutchPoints. Are you ready to read about football and wrestling? Well, you've come to the right place.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Heading into their <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/editorials/reds-vs-astros-prediction-odds-pick-5-11-2025">Saturday afternoon game against the Cincinnati Reds</a>, the Houston Astros were putting things together.</p><p>After losing five of their last six games, including two losses to the Chicago White Sox and two more to the Brewers, Houston strung together a pair of wins against Milwaukee and then the Reds, with a chance to take it to three with Lance McCullers Jr. on the mound.</p><p>Unfortunately, that just wasn’t in the cards.</p><p>Opening things up against Elly De La Cruz and company, McCullers Jr. gave up three hits, three walks, a home run, and seven runs before being pulled from the game with an IP of just 0.1.</p><p>While the Astros were eventually able to get out of the inning, albeit after surrendering 10 runs with their already <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/astros-news-starting-pitcher-hayden-wesneski-il-elbow-issue">injury strickened pitching staff</a>, they were hit with another brutal blow when Jose Altuve, the heart and soul of Houston, exited the game with “<a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1921365889615585689" rel="noopener">right hamstring tightness,</a>” according to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, and never returned the the game.</p><p>Down their second basemen, the Astros continued to battle back from their early hole, hitting 14 balls over the course of the game but in the end, they were only able to amass nine runs versus 13 by the Reds, giving Cincinatti a much-needed win while saddling McCullers Jr. with a loss despite an early exit.</p><p>Now sitting at 19-19 with a 12-8 record at home, the Astros won’t have much time to lick their wounds, as they will be back on the field again on Sunday morning for the afternoon finale of their series with the Reds.</p><p>Will the Astros be able to bounce back with Ronel Blanco on the mound? Will Altuve be back on the field for Mother’s Day, or will his hamstring cost him a game, a week, or even more? Fans will find out soon enough, as the MLB schedule slows down for no team.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2025 SEASON STATS
BA	HR	RBI	OPS	SB
.184	1	5	0.598	0

2025 SEASON STATS
BA	HR	RBI	OPS	SB
.184	1	5	0.598	0

Jose Altuve

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