WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- For only the second time since the Astros have been in the American League, Jose Altuve won’t start at second base on Opening Day.
Houston manager Joe Espada made it official Wednesday afternoon when he revealed Altuve would be the primary starter in left field, beginning with the March 27 season opener against the Mets at Daikin Park. Altuve has started at second base on Opening Day for the Astros in 12 of the past 13 seasons (Mauricio Dubón started in place of an injured Altuve in 2023).
“The plan for me right now, based on what I’ve seen, is for him to play most of his games in left field,” Espada said. “With that said, there’s always changes that could happen based on the roster changing, injuries happening, someone in the Minor Leagues starts getting locked in. Right now, the plan is for him to get most of his starts in left field.”
Altuve made his 10th start in left field of the Grapefruit League schedule in Wednesday's 8-2 loss to the Mets. He’s started only one game at second base this spring, though he is expected to get some time at his old position during the regular season.
One scenario where Altuve could start at second is when Espada wants to give catcher Yainer Diaz a start at DH, in which case he could move Yordan Alvarez from DH to left field and put Altuve at second base -- a position at which he’s started 1,765 regular-season games in his career.
Espada wouldn’t commit to how many games Altuve would play in left field in 2025.
“I don’t want to put a number on starts, percentage, none of that,” he said. “Right now, I like where he’s at defensively. He’s committed to being the best left fielder, and we’re going to give him the opportunity, but he knows in a seven-, eight-month season, things can change. Jose’s attitude is always doing what’s best for the team.”
The Astros approached Altuve in the offseason about making the position switch, and he spent weeks working out at Daikin Park in January to learn it. He has worked out almost exclusively at left in the spring, but not without some hiccups.
Altuve dropped fly balls on Tuesday against the Nats and Wednesday against the Mets in which a runner was at third base.
“I don’t think yesterday’s fly ball and today’s fly ball reflects what we’ve been doing out there,” Altuve said Wednesday. “Of course, I’ve been trying to gain some confidence to go out there and play.
“Obviously, not really happy about today’s and yesterday’s, but one thing I know for sure is when I want something to go my way, I’m going to do everything I can to do it. At the end of the day, I’m going to be playing good left field. How many games? It doesn’t matter what I play. I’m going to be working hard to be the best I can be in left field.”
Altuve believes he rushed both of the catch attempts in preparation for a throw to the plate, which he never got to make. He also said Alvarez told him to catch the ball higher in the air to help him control the ball better.
“Stuff happens, and I feel like I can show up tomorrow and keep working,” Altuve said. “I’m really happy I got two more fly balls today after I missed that one, and I was able to make those plays.
“Just move on. I’ve been in tough situations before, and I’ve overcome that. I’m ready to go out there and play good left field. I promise I’m going to keep working hard and be a great left fielder.”
Altuve is expected to get more time in left field during next week’s exhibition games against Triple-A Sugar Land at Daikin Park. He’s shown the athleticism to handle the position but hasn’t had as many chances defensively as Espada would have liked.
“He’s a really good athlete and can track balls down,” Espada said. “It’s the small stuff -- the slices by the left-handed hitters, throwing the ball to the right base. Those are the things that he’s going to need some time. The fact he’s tracking balls down and doing as well as he’s doing now, I’m not surprised.”
Dubón is expected to start at second base on Opening Day, with non-roster veterans Brendan Rodgers and Luis Guillorme in the running to make the roster and play the position, as well.