Matthews to fill in for Altuve
May 18 2026
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Houston Astros
NEWS: Houston placed 2B Jose Altuve on the 15-day IL with a left oblique strain.
IMPACT: High
BHQ SPIN: The strain is a Grade 2, so there is a wide range of outcomes for return-to-play timeline, but we’ll figure on at least a month. Brice Matthews is the likeliest player to fill in most games at 2B, with Shay Whitcomb and Braden Shewmake also getting some opportunities. This probably gives outfielder Zach Cole a few more AB, although the impending return over the next couple weeks of SS Jeremy Peña (as early as Monday), OFs Jake Meyer and Joey Loperfido will be welcomed by the club. We’ve reduced Altuve’s projected AB; shifted some of Matthews’ from OF to 2B, and sprinkled in some more for Shewmake...
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