Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will begin a rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Sugar Land, the team announced. Here’s what you need to know:
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
When could Altuve return?
Altuve has beat every benchmark during his recovery from thumb surgery — and now some sort of a concrete timeline exists for his return. Position players are only allowed to stay on a minor league rehab assignment for 20 days. Twenty days from Friday is May 31. There is a chance Altuve won’t require all 20 days at Triple-A, but the runway is there for him to get as many at-bats as he needs. The Space Cowboys are home at Constellation Field this weekend before traveling to Oklahoma City for a six-game series from May 15-22. — Rome
What will Altuve work on during his rehab assignment?
Altuve’s batting practice performance at T-Mobile Park last weekend stunned many of his coaches and teammates. Hitting coach Alex Cintrón said the swings Altuve took were some of the best he’s ever seen him take in batting practice. Bench coach Joe Espada called Altuve “game ready.” Altuve left the team after the Mariners’ series and spent most of this week facing live pitching at Constellation Field — Triple-A Sugar Land’s home ballpark. He has fielded ground balls, thrown with intensity and ran the bases with a protective padding on his right hand. Some of the hurdles he has left to clear can only come in games, though. Barehanding hard-hit ground balls, sliding at full intensity and diving back into first base on pickoff throws are among the many small details Altuve will experience for the first time during his rehab assignment. — Rome
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(Photo: Erik Williams / USA Today)
