Astros Make Jose Altuve Announcement After Exiting Tigers Game

Erik Williams-Imagn Images

Astros Make Jose Altuve Announcement After Exiting Tigers Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Tate Mosher | Last updated Jun 27, 2026 8:30 PM ET

Following Saturday’s 8-6 win against the Detroit Tigers, the Houston Astros are 41-44. They are in fourth place in the American League West but only two games behind the first-place Seattle Mariners.

The Astros have been in a bit of a weird spot as a franchise the past couple of seasons after their World Series core deteriorated. The team last made the playoffs in 2024.

Now halfway through the 2026 season, Houston has been hot lately. They have gone 14-8 during the month of June so far. However, the team had an injury scare on their hands after Saturday’s game at Detroit.

Longtime Astro second baseman Jose Altuve left the contest prematurely in the bottom of the eighth. NBC Sports posted that manager Joe Espada clarified postgame about it being just an injury scare.

Altuve suffered the injury during the bottom of the seventh inning when the Tigers’ Zach McKinstry slid into him on a tag play at second base.

Rookie infielder Raynel Delgado took the 36-year-old’s spot at second base for the remainder of the game. Delgado got one chance in the field, putting away Riley Greene on a groundout.

Across 61 games, Altuve is hitting .239 with a .311 on-base percentage and .702 OPS. He has eight home runs and 21 RBIs. In his 16th MLB season, Altuve’s decline has directly coincided with the Astros’ fall off as a team.

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27)© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

If the nine-time All-Star is unable to play second base in the short term because of the collision, Delgado could see some more playing time at second. Alternatively, the team could use utility Brice Matthews to fill in at second.

In 109 innings at the position this season, Matthews has registered one defensive run saved (h/t FanGraphs). Once a high-end prospect in the Astros’ system, the 24-year-old has yet to catch on offensively.

In 72 games this season, Matthews is slashing .196/.242/.351 with a .593 OPS. He has added six home runs and 18 RBIs. His value plainly comes more on the defensive side of the ball.

With a wide-open American League, Houston is well within range to stay competitive and push for the playoffs. They will need Altuve to stay healthy and avoid further scares if they are to buy at the trade deadline.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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