Jose Altuve Shifts to Left Field for Astros

Houston Astros veteran Jose Altuve is transitioning from his long-time position as second baseman to left fielder for the 2025 season, a move prompted by the team's recent acquisitions of infielders Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker. Altuve, who has spent over 15,000 innings at second base in his career, is adapting to his new role with guidance from teammate Yordan Alvarez, who will now focus on a designated hitter role. Altuve's first outings in left field during Spring Training have been mixed, with little action initially but subsequent plays showing both room for improvement and promise. Despite the challenges, such as making accurate throws from the outfield, Altuve is optimistic about mastering his new position. This strategic shift aims to enhance the Astros' defensive flexibility and could potentially extend Altuve's career while opening up opportunities for other players. Fans and teammates are hopeful that his experience and adaptability will smooth the transition in the regular season.