HOUSTON — In a recent strategic move, Jose Altuve has opted to transition from batting leadoff to hitting second for the Houston Astros. This change was initiated at Altuve’s request to gain extra time to prepare for his at-bat while adjusting to his new role in left field, an unfamiliar position for him after 14 years at second base.
Altuve’s shift to left field came after significant lineup changes due to the trade of Kyle Tucker and the departure of Alex Bregman, prompting the Astros to reshuffle positions. Despite this adjustment, Altuve, 34, remains determined to contribute to the team’s success. “I just need like 10 more seconds,” he mentioned, underscoring his need for those few additional moments upon returning from the outfield.
On Monday night against Detroit, Jeremy Peña was positioned at the top of the batting order, while Altuve notched a noteworthy performance with two hits, including a two-run homer, ultimately contributing three RBIs in an 8-5 victory. This was Altuve’s first appearance away from the leadoff spot since 2023. “I enjoy playing baseball,” Altuve expressed enthusiastically. “I love playing, especially with these guys. In the end, it doesn’t really matter if I play second or left, if I lead off or not. I just want to be in the lineup and help this team to win.”
Contrary to common assumptions, Altuve did not specifically recommend Peña for the leadoff role. “I just told Joe that maybe he can hit me second some games at some point and he did it today,” Altuve shared, highlighting his appeal to manager Joe Espada. Altuve saw promise in Peña, adding, “Jeremy is one of those guys that has been playing really good for our team. He’s taking really good at-bats. He’s very explosive and dynamic on the bases, so when he gets on base a lot of things can happen.”
As Peña takes on the leadoff responsibilities, he brings his own strengths, evident in his .265 average with three homers and 11 RBIs. His recent performances include a solid showing in Sunday’s 7-3 victory over Kansas City and a strong follow-up on Monday.
Espada affirmed the collaborative decision-making process leading to Altuve’s new lineup position. “He’s always looking for ways to get everyone involved,” Espada remarked. “He’s playing left field, comes in, maybe give him a little bit more time to get ready between at-bats, just a lot of things that went into this decision. He knows himself better than anyone else here, so hopefully, this could create some opportunities for everyone here and we can score some runs.”