What's next for Dubón after Altuve’s return?

This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart’s Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Now that All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve is back in the Astros’ lineup, what does that mean for Mauricio Dubón?

That was the burning question when Altuve’s name was inserted at the top of the Astros' lineup for the first time this season when they played the A’s on Friday night at Minute Maid Park. Dubón started 35 of the Astros’ 44 games at second while filling in for Altuve, who fractured his right thumb when he was hit by a pitch in the World Baseball Classic and underwent surgery.

Dubón responded by slashing .309/.333/.389 and leads the team in hits (46) and runs scored (27). He had a 20-game hitting streak, which was the longest by an Astros player in a decade. His 1.3 bWAR is tied with Yordan Alvarez and Jeremy Peña for the team's most.

“I can only control what I can control, but I’m always ready to play,” said Dubón, who didn’t play Friday. “It’s no surprise, the success I’m having. It’s just a matter of having the opportunity.”

Altuve’s return pushed Dubón back to the bench role he held with the Astros last year. He’s played three infield spots: third base, shortstop and second base, in his career, so there should be opportunities to get him in the lineup, including at designated hitter. Of course, Dubón immediately becomes the Astros’ best bat off the bench on days he’s not starting.

“I’ll get him in there,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “He’s a guy [who] can play a lot of positions. After we play six games [in a row] here, it will be 17 [consecutive games May 26-June 11], and he’ll be playing all over the field. We’ve got to play him some to keep him sharp but also keep the other guys healthy and strong and sharp.”

One of the positions Dubón hasn’t played in the Major Leagues is first base, which is where the Astros are getting their worst production. Houston is last in OPS at first base (.515), thanks to the struggles of José Abreu. Dubón received some defensive work at first base prior to Friday’s game, but it’s still unlikely he plays there much, if at all.

“I’m really comfortable [coming off the bench],” Dubón said. “The defense is there and now the offense is there. I’m just staying ready and doing what I did last year.”

In addition to his offense, Dubón is tied with Cleveland's Andrés Giménez forsecond in the American League in defensive runs saved at second base (five) behind only the Rangers' Marcus Semien, according to FanGraphs. Altuve suggested Dubón should be an All-Star.

“We’re really lucky to have him, especially the way he played, the kind of teammate he is in the clubhouse,” Altuve said. “He’s a big part of this organization and he played second and he was really good. That’s All-Star numbers. Hopefully, he’ll continue to play and get a chance to go to Seattle [for the All-Star Game] this year.”