Astros Place 7-Time All-Star On Injured List

 

It's official. The Houston Astros have placed Jose Altuve on the injured list with a strained hamstring. The injury came during Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Angels. His 10-day IL stint was backdated to that date, so he'll be eligible to return when the Astros start a 3-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 29th. 

 J.J. Matijevic has been called up to take Altuve's spot on the roster. Matijevic, who's off to a rousing start at Class AAA Sugar Land, is a first baseman and outfielder, however, so the Astros will turn to others to fill it at 2B. 

Aledmys Diaz got the start for the 7-time All-Star at second on Tuesday, while Niko Goodrum gets the nod Wednesday night against Shohei Ohtani and the Angels. 

The 26-year-old Matijevic is hitting .310 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 11 games at AAA. 

Altuve was off to a slow start this season, batting just .167, but he's coming off another All-Star season in 2021, in which he hit .278 with 31 HR and 83 RBIs. 

Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports