Houston Astros’ second baseman, Jose Altuve, was forced out of the USA vs. Venezuela game in the World Baseball Classic with an apparent injury to his left hand.
Altuve was at-bat in the fifth inning when he took a pitch from Venezuela’s Rougned Odor off the left hand. The All-Star infielder immediately dropped his bat and grasped his hand in pain after the pitch hit him. He then left the game, and his status for the rest of the tournament is uncertain at this stage.
The injury to Altuve has undoubtedly come as a massive concern for the Astros, as he is an integral part of their team. Altuve had an excellent season in 2019 and was one of the driving forces behind the Astros making it to the World Series. He hit .298 with 31 home runs and 74 RBI’s in 2019, finishing third in the MVP voting that year.
The Astros’ All-Star infielder is one of the best hitters in the game, and any significant injury to him could heavily impact Houston’s chances of success in the upcoming season. The team will undoubtedly be hoping the injury to Altuve is not too severe.
Altuve’s injury is also a blow to Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, who now face a tough decision on his replacement. Altuve has been one of the most prominent names in the tournament thus far, hitting an impressive .533 with a home run and four RBI’s in just three games.
Despite the injury, Team USA won the game 6-2 against Venezuela, advancing to the second round of the competition. The loss was a brutal one for Venezuela, who now find themselves eliminated from the tournament.
It remains to be seen how long Altuve will be out if the injury is significant. The Astros will no doubt be hoping the injury doesn’t cause Altuve to miss any significant time in the upcoming season.
In conclusion, Altuve’s injury update is undoubtedly an issue for both the Astros and Team USA. Altuve is a key player for both teams, and any significant injury to him could heavily impact their chances of success in the upcoming season and tournament, respectively. Fans of the sport will hold their breath and wait for news on how long the talented infielder will be out.
