ASTROS OUTLOOK
Let's discuss 4 Houston Astros that must step up in Jose Altuve's absence
Apr 22, 2022, 12:03 pm
The Astros may have to lean on Jeremy Pena even more. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images.
After legging out an infield single In Monday night’s game against the Angels, Astros’ second baseman Jose Altuve strained his left hamstring and was forced to leave in the 8th inning.
The 7x All-Star was retroactively placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday as a result.
"We didn't think he'd be ready to go in a week, and it's a 10-day IL, and we'll reevaluate it from there," Astros manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday
Altuve was off to a slow start (6-36) to begin the season, and spending some time off the field could be good for him in the long run.
Temporarily replacing one of the best players in baseball is no easy feat, but can be possible if certain players step up.
From utility player to starter
Aledmys Diaz is the obvious choice to replace Altuve at second base for now. He entered the game for the 31-year-old Monday night and has played well throughout his Astros career.
Diaz has been a reliable defensive asset to this team, with the ability to play at all four infield positions and the outfield as well.
Although he is only hitting .154 to start off 2022, Diaz has proven to be a dependable bat in Baker’s lineup once he gets going.
Pena shows power and potential
One of the best players for the Astros this season has been the rookie phenom Jeremy Pena. Through his first 11 games, Houston’s new shortstop is hitting .308/.364/.590. and only Chas McCormick has a higher batting average.
Over the last two games, Pena has been given the opportunity to leadoff, and he seems to fit in well.
At this point, it may be a lot to ask of a rookie, but the 24-year-old seems to be up to the challenge, as his performance at the plate would indicate.
Pena showcased he has some pop in his bat as well, and is behind only Yordan Alvarez for the team lead in homers.
The rookie is hitting in a good spot with Michael Brantley, Alex Bregman and Alvarez backing him up in the lineup and could be dangerous to any opposing pitching staff.
If Pena can continue to put up good numbers at the leadoff spot, the Astros won’t have to worry about losing production at the top of their lineup while Altuve is out.
Goodrum gets the green light.
At first glance, Niko Goodrum may seem like an odd choice to put here, but he is a vital part of this Astros roster.
Diaz could play second base for the majority of the time during Altuve’s absence, thus moving Goodrun into the utility role.
The 30-year-old has already played at first base, second base and designated hitter this season, and spent time at shortstop and in the outfield last year for the Detroit Tigers.
Baker said that both Goodrum and Diaz would split time at second base, but it can be presumed Diaz will get more starts as he is more reliable at the plate.
Goodrum can be an above average defender, and will provide much needed depth for the Astros during this time.
JJ the wildcard
One bonus player who could make an impact is the recently promoted infielder/outfielder JJ Matijevic.
The 26-year-old was called up on Wednesday in response to Altuve heading to the 10-day IL.
He hit .310 with four homers and 10 RBIs for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys this season.
Matijevic could get an opportunity to give some guys days off and add a little bit more depth to this already stacked Astros lineup.
Altuve could return as soon as Friday, April 29th in Toronto. Until then, these players and others could give the Astros a boost during the All-Star second basemen’s absence.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Dusty Baker has won the fourth Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Baseball Digest.
The beloved Baker retired following the 2023 season after spending 56 years in the majors as a player, coach and manager. He was honored Thursday with an annual distinction that “recognizes a living individual whose career has been spent in or around Major League Baseball and who has made significant contributions to the game.”
Willie Mays won the inaugural award in 2021, followed by Vin Scully in 2022 and Joe Torre last year.
“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor,” Baker said in a news release. “I never thought that I’d be in the class of the people that received this award. I know that my late mom and dad would be proud of me. This is really special.”
The 74-year-old Baker broke into the big leagues as a teenager with the Atlanta Braves in 1968 and played 19 seasons. He made two All-Star teams, won two Silver Slugger awards and earned a Gold Glove in the outfield.
He was the 1977 NL Championship Series MVP and finished fourth in 1980 NL MVP voting before helping the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 1981 World Series.
Following his playing career, Baker was a coach for the San Francisco Giants from 1988-92 and then became their manager in 1993. He won the first of his three NL Manager of the Year awards with the Giants that season and spent 26 years as a big league skipper, also guiding the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals and Houston Astros.
Baker took all those teams to the playoffs, winning 10 division crowns, three pennants and finally a World Series championship in 2022 with the Astros. He ranks seventh on the career list with 2,183 wins and is the only manager in major league history to lead five franchises to division titles.
In January, he returned to the Giants as a special adviser to baseball operations. Baker's former team is 7-18 under new Astros manager Joe Espada.
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I am honored to congratulate Dusty Baker as the 2024 recipient of Baseball Digest’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He joins an incredible club," Commissioner Rob Manfred said. "Dusty represents leadership, goodwill, and winning baseball. His ability to connect with others, across generations, is second to none. He is a championship manager and player. But, most importantly, Dusty is an extraordinary ambassador for our national pastime.”
Baker was selected in voting by an 18-member panel from a list of candidates that also included Bob Costas, Sandy Koufax, Tony La Russa, Jim Leyland, Rachel Robinson and Bud Selig, among others.