WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Jose Altuve made the familiar jog from the dugout to second base for his Grapefruit League debut in the Astros' 4-4 tie vs. the Nats on Friday night, a route he’s taken hundreds of times before. If there was an extra pep in his step this time, it was for good reason.
A year after the Astros spent much of the spring turning Altuve into a left fielder, he has returned to second base full-time this year and he couldn’t be happier about it. It’s the only position he played in the Major Leagues prior to last season’s outfield experiment and it’s the position at which he’s been elected to the All-Star Game nine times.
“He’s in a familiar spot at second base, so there’s excitement to be back in there,” Astros manager Joe Espada said.
The Astros pushed Altuve to the outfield last year in an attempt to improve their infield defense, especially with a pair of ground ball pitchers -- Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez -- at the top of their rotation. Because of injuries, he ended up playing more games at second base (61) than left field (44) in 2025.
“Going into the season, if we keep everyone healthy, I think we can continue with Jose at second base, and that’s where he wants to play,” Espada said. “That’s where he always wanted to play. He did left field last year because that’s where our need was. … But right now as we move forward, getting Jose back at second base is something we look forward to.”
Altuve, a three-time batting champion, slashed .265/.329/.442 with 26 homers and 77 RBIs last season. His .771 OPS was his lowest since 2013, which was his second full season in the big leagues and Houston’s first in the American League.
Altuve has always been a streaky hitter, but the extreme highs and lows at the plate last season forced him to make some adjustments to try to be more consistent. For example, he had a .745 OPS in June and a 1.055 mark in July. With that in mind, Altuve has adjusted the step in his left foot to have a more open stance, with hopes of using more of the field.
“I feel last year I had some times when I was really really bad and some times when I was really really good,” Altuve said. “There’s really a big separation between those two, so I don't really need that. It doesn’t feel good when it goes really bad. I’m looking for more stability and more [consistency] and working my swing, working on my step and try to make some more hard contact and stay consistent. I didn’t know what to expect when I show up. It could be a really good day or really bad day. I want to be more at the level and put some good numbers up there.”
In his first at-bat of the spring, Altuve crushed a pitch to center field that may have been a home run, had Nationals center fielder Jacob Young not reached up and caught it at the wall. Regardless, it was a sign Altuve’s adjustments are working despite going 0-for-3.
“When I hit the ball, regardless of him catching the ball, I was really happy because that’s what I’ve been trying to do, that’s what I’ve been working on,” Altuve said. “To see the ball go to center field was really good.”
Altuve has played in a team-high 308 games the past two seasons -- 153 in 2024 and 155 last year -- and is aiming for 155 more this year despite turning 36 in May. He will begin this season with 2,388 hits, so being in the lineup as much as possible will help him in his quest for 3,000 hits. More than anything, Altuve still enjoys playing as much as he ever did.
Because of Houston’s infield surplus, Isaac Paredes has been taking some grounders at second base this spring and he could get some playing time at second, third and first base. But Altuve has made it clear he wants to be in the lineup as much as possible, and he’s glad it will be at second base.
“One thing I’m really proud and I love is playing, and I think I can play more than 155 games,” Altuve said. “That’s a big number for me. That’s the No. 1 goal, to stay on the field and stay healthy. There might be some days where [Espada] wants me not to play, but I’ll be trying to play.”