Altuve humbled by 1,000-game benchmark

SEATTLE -- The top items on Jose Altuve's professional resume include World Series champion, American League Most Valuable Player, five-time All-Star and three-time batting champion.
Now the Astros' second baseman is poised to add another achievement.
Barring something unexpected, Altuve will play in his 1,000th career game Tuesday when the Astros continue their four-game series against the Mariners at Safeco Field.
"I didn't know that," Altuve said, "but thanks to God for the opportunity to be part of that club. To have 1,000 games in the big leagues means a lot to me. Hopefully, I can play many more."
Altuve, 27, is in his eighth season with the Astros, and since he is under contract through 2024, he figures to be working his way up numerous lists in the franchise record book before he's done.
"His entire resume is still incomplete," manager AJ Hinch said. "He's getting better. If the next 1,000 games are equal to or better than the first 1,000 games, we have one of the best players in the game."
Altuve ranks 20th in games played in franchise history. If he stays healthy, he should climb to 13th by the end of the season. Next up is third baseman Bob Aspromonte, who played in 1,007 games from 1962-68.
Two Hall of Fame players top the franchise's all-time list: second baseman Craig Biggio with 2,850 games from 1988-2007, and first baseman Jeff Bagwell with 2,150 from 1991-2005.
"It's really hard to stay in the big leagues with so much talent around," Altuve said. "It's an honor to reach 1,000 games."
Sipp on the mend
Lefty reliever Tony Sipp tested his recovery from a strained right oblique by throwing a bullpen workout prior to Monday's series opener against the Mariners.
"All things are going good," Hinch said. "He's eligible to come off [the disabled list] on Wednesday. We're going to meet as a staff and see if he needs to have an outing in the Minors or whether he will be activated right away."
Sipp, 34, experienced soreness in his right oblique after an April 6 outing against the Padres. He was placed on the DL retroactive to April 8. He gave up one run and two hits over 2 1/3 innings in two appearances prior to the injury.