Jose Altuve, Kris Bryant, Jeremy Pena: 3 things I heard during Astros-Rockies series
By Kevin Henry
Jose Altuve’s injury keeps him out of the lineup but Jeremy Pena returns for the Astros. Plus, Kris Bryant is getting his swing back together.
HOUSTON — As the days tick down to the MLB All-Star Game, the Houston Astros are showing exactly why you can never count the defending World Champions out.
However, while the Astros may be gaining ground on the Texas Rangers in the American League West standings, they may have to finish out the schedule before the All-Star break without one of their lineup’s key components.
Houston Astros may be without Jose Altuve for a while
After being a late scratch for the July 4 game against the Colorado Rockies inside Minute Maid Park because of an oblique issue suffered in pregame batting practice, Altuve was present in the Astros clubhouse before Wednesday’s series finale against the Rockies but was unavailable to speak to the media.
All questions about Altuve’s health and availability were pushed to manager Dusty Baker for his media conference. However, there wasn’t much for Baker to update as Altuve was once again absent from the lineup on Wednesday before undergoing an MRI on Wednesday afternoon. We’ll see if the Astros have any more information about Altuve’s condition before the game wraps up and if Altuve could be available when the Astros start a four-game series in south Texas against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday in their last action before the All-Star break.
Based on whispers we’re hearing, there are concerns that Altuve might not be back before the All-Star break as the Astros may choose to rest him so he’s completely healthy for the second half of the season.