Career second baseman Jose Altuve will make his spring training debut on Friday, and he’ll do it in left field, Houston Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters on Wednesday.
Following the trade of All-Star Kyle Tucker, the Astros have an opening in the outfield. And Altuve has said he will play anywhere on the field that he’s needed.
Altuve, who turns 35 in May, has played 1,766 games at second base and two at shortstop, never manning the outfield during his 14 seasons. A nine-time All-Star and former American League Most Valuable Player, he won the Gold Glove at second in 2015.
His defensive stats at second base have slipped in recent seasons, however. In the past three seasons, he has registered a minus-15 defensive runs saved and two campaigns of minus-13.
The seven-time Silver Slugger hasn’t dropped off offensively, though. Altuve, a three-time American League batting champion, has averages of .300, .311 and .295 during that span.
Espada told reporters on Tuesday that Altuve is doing well in his transition to left field.
“He’s actually been pretty good out there,” Espada said. “One thing, it’s practice and we can control the environment and the volume, but once the game starts he’ll be tested and we’ll get a better read of where he’s at. Right now, the attitude is exactly what we’re expecting and the work has been pretty good.”
Mauricio Dubon currently sits atop the depth chart at second base, but he is being challenged by Brendan Rodgers and Luis Guillorme.
The Astros will face the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday in West Palm Beach, Fla.
–Field Level Media
