Nothing could help the Astros’ offense ease the burden of losing slugger Yordan Alvarez for the rest of the season with a knee injury and All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman to a hamstring injury Thursday that put him on the injured list than Jose Altuve finding his stroke.

It’s been a disappointing and surprising first half of the season for Altuve, who showed signs of returning to his All-Star form in Houston’s sweep of Colorado. Altuve posted consecutive multihit games for the first time this season on Wednesday and Thursday, going 2-for-5 each time. He raised his batting average 22 points to .190, which is not even close to his career average of .312.

Still, Altuve’s expected batting average (.228) and weighted OBA (.241) are well below his career averages (.290 xBA and .372 wOBA). The three-time batting champion has also struck out at a career-high rate of 20.4 percent of his at-bats (12.2 career average).

“I’ve been feeling really good because we’ve been winning games,” Altuve said after Thursday’s 13-6 win in Denver. “At the same time, you want to help your team. I’ve been working behind the scenes to get my rhythm back, get my hitting back and score some runs for the boys.”

Last week, Altuve asked manager Dusty Baker to move him down in the batting order. Baker dropped Altuve to seventh Saturday and sixth Sunday, Monday and Tuesday after Alvarez went down with a knee injury. He was back in the No. 2 spot on Wednesday and Thursday and responded.

“I know it was weird for myself seeing him down there,” veteran outfielder Josh Reddick said. “Getting him back in the two-hole, it seems like he’s kind of turned the page right now. As much as we need anybody, we need him at the top of the lineup driving in runs and producing runs scored for us. Hopefully, this little series he had in Denver was something that can get him out of it. With Jose, there’s no telling. He could get a bloop single and go on a 10-for-10 stretch like he’s done before. We’re all waiting for him to get that big stretch where he really carries this team.”

Worth noting
• Baker wasn’t as optimistic Friday that veteran outfielder Michael Brantley (quad injury) would come off the injured list Saturday when eligible to return. Brantley is on the taxi squad and working out with the club. Baker said he might give Brantley an extra day or two to make sure he’s healed.

• Baker provided no updates on Bregman, who suffered a strained right hamstring running the bases Wednesday. Baker said Thursday that Bregman was scheduled to fly to Houston for an MRI.

• There was also no update on right-hander Josh James, who left Thursday’s game in severe pain. The Astros said James had right hip discomfort, and Baker said Friday that he was also heading to Houston for a checkup.