José Altuve Set for More Tests After Pitch Strikes Left Foot

Houston Astros second baseman José Altuve is scheduled for additional testing after a pitch struck his left foot during Tuesday night’s 4-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Initial imaging was negative, but the club wants more information because the soreness increased after he tried to remain in the game.

Altuve was hit by an 82 mph curveball from Giants left-hander Carson Whisenhunt in the first inning. He stayed in long enough to play defense, then exited before the bottom of the second. Nick Allen replaced him as Houston continued the game without one of its most experienced hitters.

The Astros classified the injury as a left-foot contusion. Manager Joe Espada said more imaging would follow Wednesday, leaving Altuve’s availability for the series finale uncertain. A negative first scan is encouraging, but it does not by itself establish when he can return to the lineup.

The timing matters for a Houston club holding only a half-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the American League West. Altuve has struggled by his standards this season, batting .240 with 13 home runs and 35 RBIs through 96 games, but his experience and ability to change an at-bat remain significant.

Houston has an off day Thursday before opening a series against Seattle, which gives the club a small window to evaluate the results without immediately facing another game. If Altuve needs additional rest, the Astros will have to rebalance the infield and replace his spot near the top of the order.

The next update should focus on the imaging result and whether the pain subsides enough for baseball activity. Until then, the confirmed facts are limited: the initial scan found no fracture, more tests were ordered, and no return date has been announced.

Reuters detailed Altuve’s exit and the planned follow-up testing. Editorial image: José Altuve at Oriole Park in 2017, photographed by Keith Allison, cropped by Power1047, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

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