SEATTLE -- Reigning American League Most Valuable Player Jose Altuve was activated from the 10-day disabled list for Tuesday's game against the Mariners, the club announced.
• Altuve kept the ball from his first Triple-A hit
Altuve has missed 21 games since coming out of the Astros' win over the Rockies on July 25 at Coors Field with a sore right knee. He went 1-for-3 in a Minor League rehab outing on Sunday for Triple-A Fresno and rejoined the Major League club on Monday in nearby Seattle. Altuve went through a normal pregame routine on Monday.
The Astros went 8-13 with Altuve out of the lineup. He was leading the AL in hits when he was injured. The six-time All-Star is hitting .329 with a .392 on-base percentage, nine homers and 46 RBIs in 104 games for the Astros.
"I'm excited," Altuve said Monday. "This is a great team. I know you guys know I love every single part about this team and the way they play. We're in first place and most likely we're going to be in the playoffs, and I have a lot of confidence in my teammates, and I just want to be a part of this."
This was Altuve's first appearance on the disabled list in his eight seasons in the Majors. He has played through nagging injuries in years past.

"He was in unchartered territory," manager AJ Hinch said. "He didn't know how to feel or what to think and he was very nervous and rightfully so. Now that he's been able to build back a little confidence and get some soreness out and go play a game and feel good about his change of direction on defense and offense, he's a lot more confident that things are OK."