Jose Altuve has never shied away from a challenge, not when he was a minor prospect slogging his way to the big leagues, and not now, as he makes a mid-career adjustment to left field and designated hitter to keep the Houston Astros’ championship window open.
As the Astros shuffle their lineup to stay competitive in a rugged AL West, concerns emerge: Is Altuve comfortable away from second base? Does the veteran sparkplug, who is prized equally for his energy and glove as he is for his bat, feel at ease in the DH role, which requires patience rather than movement and observation?
Jose Altuve May Be Out of Position, But He’s Not Out of Place
Altuve has built a career that goes against the grain, and now, in his 14th season in the MLB, he’s adjusting to another switch, this time to the outfield. On Feb. 28, 2025, Altuve took left for the first time in a spring training game vs. the Marlins, a far cry from the second base position he has held down for over a decade.
The move initially aimed to clear a path for Alex Bregman’s return to the team in a reworked infield. But when Bregman signed with the Boston Red Sox in the offseason, the Astros stuck with the decision to shift Altuve to left.
Team officials pointed to long-term roster flexibility and concerns about preserving Altuve’s health and production as reasons for the switch.
“More now than in previous seasons … He doesn’t love it, but understands,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “We all want him to reach that 3,000 mark. This is a guy who wants to win another World Series, so we have to keep him healthy.”
Looking Ahead in the DH Role
Even as Altuve’s designated hitter appearances are increasing in frequency, it’s doubtful that he’ll be the team’s everyday man at the position. With power bats like Yordan Alvarez and Christian Walker having trouble finding traction early in the season, the DH position should remain up for grabs.
The Astros are experimenting, hoping to spark the offense while managing the workload for their veteran players. But much of it still revolves around Altuve, at the plate and in leftfield, as Houston searches for stability. With the team opening the year 7-9, trade talks might pick up as the front office looks for ways to reshape the lineup as the season goes on.