Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve left Wednesday's game against the Oakland Athletics with right side discomfort, the team announced.
Altuve told reporters postgame he "felt a little something" but that it didn't compare to the oblique issues he dealt with last year.
"I'm not really worried," he said, according to the Houston Chronicle's Matt Kawahara. "Maybe I just wake up tomorrow, and I'm good to go ... Sometimes you have to wait until the next day and see how you feel."
The 34-year-old appeared to tweak something during a fifth-inning at-bat in which he grimaced after hitting a foul ball.
Jose Altuve was in pain after this swing and has now exited the game pic.twitter.com/JC2LdHZRHt
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 12, 2024
The awkward swing prompted an on-field conversation with manager Joe Espada and a team trainer. Altuve stayed in to finish his at-bat before being replaced at second base by Mauricio Dubón to start the sixth inning.
Altuve went 0-for-3 before departing the ballgame.
The nine-time All-Star is hitting .302/.357/.450 with 19 home runs and 20 stolen bases in what has been another strong season with the Astros.
While Altuve appears to have dodged a serious injury, Houston received less fortunate news regarding Chas McCormick. Espada said the outfielder has a fracture in his hand after crashing into the outfield wall Tuesday.
McCormick was placed on the injured list Thursday. The Astros called up infielder Grae Kessinger and left-hander Bryan King and optioned pitcher Nick Hernandez in corresponding moves.
Wednesday's 5-4 loss dropped the Astros' record to 77-68.
