Just when it seemed like the Houston Astros had gained some momentum with a much-needed series win against the Texas Rangers over the weekend, the injury nightmare came back. It’s been a seemingly never-ending revolving door of injuries for the Astros.
The unfortunate roster moves involving trips to the injured list just keep on happening. It felt like a great night for the Astros on Saturday, who closed out a 4-1 victory over the Rangers, but that was spoiled in a way after a Jose Altuve injury.
Jose Altuve Injury Becomes Latest Astros Casualty
In the bottom of the eighth inning with the Astros up 4-1, Altuve came up to the plate with no outs. After seeing four pitches, he grounded into a double play after reaching out and swinging at a pitch far outside the zone. Altuve was in immediate discomfort and could not even run to first base. He instantly walked back to the dugout with no interest or attempt to see the play through. Altuve was visibly grabbing the left hip area while heading down to the clubhouse as manager Joe Espada came up the steps to see him. It was clear that Altuve was grimacing.
The Details on Altuve’s Injury
Altuve got imaging on Sunday morning, and the results came out in the afternoon after the Astros’ 8-0 loss to the Rangers. Espada announced in the post-game press conference that Altuve suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain and will require a stint on the IL. This was tough news to swallow for the Astros and their fans, as they were hoping for better news.
An oblique strain is generally one of the tougher injuries to deal with, knowing a player has to be absolutely 100 percent to come back from it. It’s also specifically troubling in baseball, as that part of the muscle attached to the hip is needed for any kind of swing or batting stance. A Grade 2 diagnosis means that Altuve went through a partial tear of the muscle on that swing.
Jose Altuve is headed to the IL. pic.twitter.com/reum60BFgE
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 17, 2026
Jose Altuve Injury Timeline and History
While there wasn’t any confirmation from Espada on how long Altuve will remain out, the general timeline for an athlete to come back from this injury is six to eight weeks. Altuve did suffer a left oblique strain in 2023 as well, but that was considered a minor strain. The former MVP only missed 17 games that July, around the All-Star break, and spent 20 days on the IL. This injury three years later is much more severe and will probably require close to two months to return.
“Obviously, it’s just not what we wanted to hear,” Espada said. “But we find ourselves having to fight through this one here. So these young players are going to continue to get opportunities.” This news confirms what general manager Dana Brown said on Sunday during the radio broadcast.
Dana Brown said on the radio broadcast that it’s most likely an oblique injury for Jose Altuve. They don’t know the severity.
I was told by sources he was feeling well after the game but the imaging will tell more. Oblique issues for hitters are not good.
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) May 17, 2026
Astros Injuries Have Been Piling Up
Given that there are currently 15 players on the injured list, it comes as no surprise to see that this isn’t the first oblique injury the Astros have seen this year. Outfielder Jake Meyers suffered the exact same injury as Altuve, and he was added to the IL back on April 9. He still hasn’t returned as of May 17, but is expected to come back during the upcoming Minnesota Twins series from May 18-20.
Meyers will be turning 30 next month, but Altuve is 36. It’s possible that the 16-year veteran could take longer than the six weeks that Meyers took. Additionally, catcher Yainer Diaz went down with a left oblique strain as well on May 5, and he’s also expected to be out “a while,” according to Espada. This injury was also suffered while swinging a bat.
Momentum Swinging Blow
The latest Jose Altuve injury is a fairly common one, but it comes at the worst possible time for the Astros. Just when momentum was on their side, yet another star goes down. The Astros do have some positive injury news, as they are set to return Meyers, starting shortstop Jeremy Peña, as well as right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson off the IL, but now Altuve gets added.
It is a huge blow for Houston that Altuve, who is the face of the Astros and the heart and soul of the team, will not be available for this long key stretch of the year. His veteran presence was especially valuable this season with injuries left and right. Even though the nine-time All-Star wasn’t having the best offensive season with just a .245 average, .706 OPS, and four homers, Altuve is such an important player in the lineup.
The Astros’ offense that was on fire early has already cooled down a bit, and not having Altuve until likely July will hurt them further. Having Carlos Correa out for the season was devastating, and Altuve’s absence makes this upcoming stretch very difficult. It seemed like he was just getting out of his slump with a home run on Saturday against Jacob deGrom and two RBI against the Seattle Mariners early in the week.
What’s the Next Move for the Astros?
This means that infielder Braden Shewmake will have an important role to play. With Pena’s incoming return, Shewmake will likely shift over to second base temporarily, while Brice Matthews could also man the position. Shewmake just had a 10-game hitting streak and is currently hitting .333 with an .896 OPS. He’s had 16 hits in 17 games as well as three home runs and seven RBI. Altuve, a two-time World Series champion, is considered to be one of the best second basemen of all time, and he just crossed 2,000 games played earlier this year.
Main Photo Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
