The Houston Astros have placed their star second basemen on the injured list with a sprained right knee. Altuve suffered the injury in Houston’s game against the Texas Rangers on Thursday.
Although the Astros are sitting second in the AL West and only two games behind the first-place Athletics, Altuve has struggled this year, much to the pleasure of the majority of baseball fans.
Altuve, along with the entire Astros team, has been the center of mockery and social media slander, dating back to the club’s sign-stealing saga last season.
Altuve’s .224 AVG, .284 OBP, and .606 OPS this season is a steep drop off from last seasons .298 AVG, .353 OBP, and .903 OPS — with many fans pointing out that it’s much harder to hit a baseball when you don’t know which pitch is coming.
Altuve joins an injured list already occupied with Astros stars, including 3B Alex Bregman and SP Justin Verlander.
Manager Dusty Baker says Altuve should be back in action next week.