Jose Altuve gives Astros massive boost with unexpected early injury return

The Houston Astros have dealt with injuries throughout the season, with one of them being to Jose Altuve, who had a left oblique strain. Many thought that Altuve would be out for an extended period of time, but in an unexpected turn of events, he’s set to return on Friday night, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic.

“Twenty days after sustaining a Grade 2 strain of his left oblique, Altuve returned to the Houston Astros’ starting lineup on Friday night, completing a comeback few presumed could proceed at this pace,” Rome wrote.

Grade 2 oblique strains have a recovery period of four to six weeks, and Altuve was injured on May 16 against the Texas Rangers. Any other player would’ve probably sat to recover, but ten days after the injury, Altuve was swinging a bat at the team’s spring training complex.

This week, Altuve faced live pitching for two days, taking swings against two minor-league pitchers brought in to help him.

“We’re going one day at a time, but everything feels great,” Altuve said after Wednesday’s live session. “I’m getting some momentum to go back to 100 percent. I like where I’m at.”

Now Altuve is back, and the hope is that he can get the Astros to take another step through this part of the season. Before his injury, he had a .706 OPS and .245 batting average in his 185 plate appearances, and all he needs is one hot streak to get going.

The Astros are currently 28-36 and are in fourth place in the AL West.

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