Houston Astros fans are accustomed to seeing José Altuve anchoring second base, but this season, he is expected to spend most of his time in left field. Manager Joe Espada confirmed the position change, emphasizing that Altuve will primarily stay in the outfield rather than moving back and forth between positions.
“The plan right now is for him to play the majority of his games in left field,” Espada said via the Associated Press, making it clear that frequent positional shifts would be avoided.
The decision to transition Altuve to left field initially surfaced when the Astros explored retaining third baseman Alex Bregman, who ultimately signed with the Boston Red Sox. Had Bregman stayed, Isaac Paredes would have taken over second base, shifting Altuve to the outfield. Altuve even expressed his willingness to make the move if it helped keep Bregman in Houston, stating at Astros FanFest in January, “Whatever I have to do for [Bregman] to stay, I’m willing to do it.”
Despite Bregman’s departure, the Astros are sticking with the plan to place Altuve in left field, believing it to be the best strategic move for the team. His defensive performance at second base has declined in recent years, making a shift to the outfield a logical step. While Altuve remains a key offensive contributor, relocating him to left field may help mitigate defensive concerns.
Additionally, Altuve’s move clears an infield spot, paving the way for Cam Smith, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade alongside Paredes. In the future, the Astros’ infield could consist of Smith, Jeremy Peña, Paredes, and Christian Walker from third to first. This lineup shift may happen as soon as this season or in 2026. Regardless of the timeline, it appears that Altuve’s long-term role with the team will now be in the outfield.
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