Houston Astros star Jose Altuve. Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

MLB makes Jose Altuve announcement before Astros-Phillies series

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 4:04 PM ET

When the Houston Astros open their three-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night, we expect Jose Altuve to be in left field.

That's nothing new, considering that Altuve typically plays left field. However, Major League Baseball listed Altuve as a second baseman on the All-Star Game ballot despite him opening the season as Houston's starting left fielder.

Suddenly, it doesn't sound unrealistic to think a part-time second baseman could nonetheless draw the start in next month's Midsummer Classic. Major League Baseball announced on Monday that Altuve ranks third among AL second basemen; his 795,123 votes trail only the Detroit Tigers' Gleyber Torres (1,133,888) and Baltimore Orioles' Jackson Holliday (806,133) as of publication.

That's how the three ranked when MLB released the initial results last week. The top two vote-getters advance to Phase 2.

Unlike Altuve, Torres and Holliday are full-time second basemen. Major League Baseball seemingly acknowledged the fact that Altuve probably shouldn't be listed as a second baseman.

"[The] nine-time All-Star has transitioned to playing left field but still sees time at second base, where he played his entire career entering this season," the league wrote.

Altuve owns a .269 average, 12 home runs, 34 RBI and a .754 OPS for the AL West-leading Astros. However, his -0.3 bWAR is his worst since 2020, and his .754 OPS is on track to be his lowest in a full season since 2013.

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

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