May 2, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) works out prior to the game against the San Francisco Giants at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Astros’ Altuve starts rehab assignment on Friday
Seven weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured right thumb, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday night, the team announced.
Altuve fractured his thumb when he was hit by a pitch during the World Baseball Classic and underwent surgery on March 22. It was supposed to be two months before he could start baseball activities, but he started fielding ground balls early last week and hit on the field last weekend in Seattle. Altuve returned to Houston earlier this week and started facing live pitching in Sugar Land on Tuesday.
The Astros have not indicated how long Altuve’s rehab assignment will last, but the team will be careful, especially after manager Dusty Baker said he thought outfielders Chas McCormick and Michael Brantley “overdid it” during their rehab assignments. McCormick missed the Astros’ last two games in Anaheim after experiencing back soreness, while Brantley returned to Houston to have his surgically repaired shoulder examined.
The Space Cowboys play El Paso the next three days before traveling to Oklahoma City for a six-game series starting Tuesday, following Monday’s off day.
