Altuve takes next step in return with fielding, throwing drills

HOUSTON -- Six weeks removed from having surgery to repair a fractured right thumb suffered when he was hit by a pitch in the World Baseball Classic, Astros star second baseman Jose Altuve is back to doing baseball drills on the field, including fielding grounders, throwing and running.

For the first time since he underwent surgery, Altuve met with reporters to provide an update on his health prior to Wednesday’s game against the Giants at Minute Maid Park. The original prognosis was that Altuve would be out eight weeks post-surgery, so that’s two weeks away. The Astros have said he’s ahead of schedule, but there remains no firm timetable.

“I think right now it’s hard to tell,” Altuve said. “Anything is possible. I’m working really hard. I want to come back and help these guys to win, but we’ll see. I think the next two weeks are really important in my rehab.”

Altuve walked through the clubhouse Wednesday while clutching a bat, but he hasn’t been cleared to swing just yet.

“We’re going to swing when it’s the right time,” he said. “Even though I’m feeling really good, you have to wait. Hopefully soon.”

Altuve said not being able to play yet this season has been difficult. He’s never missed this much time with an injury in his career. Prior to this season, the longest he’s been out was from May 11 to June 19 in 2019, when he had a left hamstring strain.

“Obviously, it’s really hard,” he said. “It’s something I didn’t plan on, but things happen, and you can’t really do anything about it. I’m just continuing to work hard every day with [head athletic trainer] Jeremiah [Randall] and try to come back to the field as quick as I can, but in the meantime, just keep watching these guys play amazing baseball.”

Mauricio Dubón has filled in for Altuve as the starter at second base for Houston and entered Wednesday hitting .305, including a 20-game hitting streak from April 2-April 26 that was the longest by an Astros player in 13 years and is the longest in the Major Leagues this season.

“Amazing,” Altuve said. “I’m really happy and proud. He deserves it. He’s a great kid. He shows up every day and wanted to play. He really wants to go out there and play. He’s a team player and just playing amazing. He’s going to keep doing that, and I know he’s going to have a great season and go from there.”

Altuve, entering his 13th season with the Astros, is coming off a terrific year in which he hit .300 with 28 homers, 57 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, 103 runs scored and a .921 OPS in 2022, helping the Astros win their second World Series title in six seasons. The fact the eight-time All-Star is moving closer to game action is exciting for manager Dusty Baker.

“I feel great he was cleared by the doctors for baseball activities,” Baker said. “It’s been hard on him to not play and not contribute and not to help us win. We just have to temper it some not to rush him as badly as we want to, and it’s probably worse for him because he wants to get back again because he loves to play. We just have to be patient.”