MLB Star Josรฉ โAltuve Undergoes Surgery, World Baseball Classic Status Uncertain
HOUSTON – Houston Astros second baseman โขJosรฉ Altuve underwent a minor surgical procedure to address fluid buildup inโข a wound between the fourthโข and fifth toes of his right foot, the โขteam announced today. The surgery โcasts doubt on his availability for the Venezuelanโ national team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic scheduled for March.
The procedure, performed to drain the accumulated fluid,โ is expected to require a recovery period of approximately three โmonths.This timeline should allow altuve to be โfully prepared for the start of the โMajor league Baseball season. Though, the recovery timeframe โขleaves his participation in the World Baseball Classic uncertain, as the tournament begins before the end of his projected โrehabilitation.
Altuve, a 15-year veteran and cornerstone of the Astros’ franchise, battled through the discomfort late in theโข 2023 regular season, posting aโ .218 batting average over hisโ final 23 games. Despite theโ late-season struggles and the need for surgery, Altuve โstill managed to appear in 155โค games, finishing the year with a .265 average, 24 doubles, a triple, and 26 home runs, driving in 77 runs and scoring 80.
This past season marked a shift for Altuveโฃ defensively, โคas he saw action in left field for the first time in his career,โฃ playing 45 gamesโ thereโฃ while still appearingโ in 63 games at his customary second base position. His versatilityโค andโค continued offensive production were crucial in keeping the Astros competitive amidst meaningful roster turnover and injuries.
Details provided by EFE.
