MIAMI -- After enduring a foot injury on Sunday and being hit by a 91.8-mph fastball on Monday, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was back in the starting lineup on Tuesday, hitting third in the order.
"He loves to play," said Astros manager A.J. Hinch. "He's a tremendous guy. Obviously it was uncomfortable when he got hit on the hand. But it hit in the meat part, which is good. And I'm sure it always feels better after a hit, after a homer."
After being plunked by Marlins starter Dan Straily on Monday, Altuve remained in the game and delivered a two-run single and then a solo homer in the ninth for good measure to top off a 7-2 win.
A true "gamer" in every sense of the word, Altuve doesn't come to the ballpark to sit on the bench. However, his day off may come tomorrow afternoon when the Astros complete their three-game series with the Marlins at 11:10 a.m. CT. Then again, it may not.
Hinch didn't mention any names, but hinted that there is a possibility that Altuve could get a rest after his eventful last few days.

"One of the priority guys will have a day off tomorrow, one of the middle infielders probably," Hinch said. "We'll see how it plays out. I just want to keep these guys fresh. We're playing a lot of baseball in a short period of time."
Getting players the necessary rest is a priority for Hinch as the Astros attempt to maintain the best record in baseball. Playing in a National League park has actually helped in that endeavor, with one fewer hitter in the lineup.
"There's always going to be a bat that's not going to be playing," Hinch said. "With [Carlos] Beltran in the outfield, that's generally Gattis."
Beltran started in left field on Tuesday, giving Gattis a rest.