Houston Astros Jose Altuve reacts after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jose Altuve, right, gets a high-five from Taylor Trammell after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) reacts after hitting a single during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) hits a single during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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A possible sign of progress for Jose Altuve arrived early in an extra-innings loss. Turning on a cutter from Jameson Taillon in his second at-bat Wednesday produced a 401-foot drive to the train tracks at Daikin Park.
With the swing, Altuve recorded his fourth straight multi-hit game, his first such stretch this year. It was also Altuve’s first extra-base hit since July 19, a dichotomy to illustrate the nature of a difficult season.
“I’m going to home plate right now to improve, obviously, and find something that I can get through the rest of the season and hopefully for the playoffs,” Altuve said Wednesday afternoon. “But I’m still in that process. I haven’t really said, ‘OK, I’m here.’ But I feel like I’m moving forward.”
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The search has spanned months for the Houston Astros’ second baseman and franchise face. Altuve, 36, has a .703 OPS that sits more than 100 points below his career mark across 16 major-league seasons. He entered Wednesday with a 94 OPS-plus, six percent below MLB average.
In four games on their just-completed homestand, Altuve batted sixth in the Astros’ lineup. Before that, he hadn’t slotted sixth or lower in a full-length season since 2012. His first career starts in the fifth spot came earlier this year, as well.
A FRIENDLY FACE: At 87, usher Suzann Richardson is retiring
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Houston’s offense may no longer hinge on Altuve being an ignitor. Jeremy Peña and Yordan Alvarez form a dynamic 1-2 atop the lineup. Isaac Paredes has settled into hitting after Alvarez, and Christian Walker’s season-long production in the middle of the order remains above-average.
Still, the Astros’ pursuit of lineup length and lack of outfield production, both reflected in plugging trade deadline addition Daulton Varsho directly into the cleanup spot this week, crave impact from Altuve. No player in their clubhouse has created more during the era this team is trying to sustain.
With Paredes not starting Wednesday amid a mini-slump, Altuve moved up to third in the order. He singled and homered in his first two at-bats before finishing 2-for-5 in the Astros’ 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays, one that left them 59-57 and with a 1½-game lead in the American League West.
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada argues a call with umpire Doug Eddings after designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was called out at second during the 10th inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Eddings ejected Espada and the call stood upon review.
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Houston Astros manager Joe Espada (19) head back to the dugout after being ejected by umpire Doug Eddings for arguing a call after designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was called out at second during the 10th inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith (11) walks back to the dugout after being tagged out by Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Luis Urías attempting to steal second to end the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith (11) is tagged out by Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Luis Urías attempting to steal second to end the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu (52) delivers during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña (3) reacts after flying out to end the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros shortstop Nick Allen (20) is checked on by trainers and manager Joe Espada after being hit in the hand by Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Spencer Miles during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros shortstop Nick Allen (20) drops his bat being hit in the hand by Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Spencer Miles during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros shortstop Nick Allen (20) is hit in the hand by Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Spencer Miles during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros left fielder LaMonte Wade Jr. (31) reacts after hitting a double during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown (58) reacts alongside catcher Yainer Diaz as he walks off the field during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Toronto Blue Jays Jesús Sánchez reacts after hitting game-tying, 2-run home run off Houston starting pitcher Hunter Brown during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown (58) reacts after giving up a game-tying, two-run home run to Toronto Blue Jays Jesús Sánchez during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros LaMonte Wade Jr. (31) hits an RBI single during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros LaMonte Wade Jr. (31) hits an RBI single during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) rects after hitting an RBI double during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) rects after hitting an RBI double during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jose Altuve, right, gets a high-five from Taylor Trammell after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jose Altuve reacts after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros Daulton Varsho hands his bat off after drawing a walk during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros Daulton Varsho bats during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) reacts after hitting a single during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) hits a single during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) delivers during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) delivers during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
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Astros usher Suzann Richardson adjusts her lanyard with pins from various events she’s been at before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
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Astros usher Suzann Richardson adjusts her lanyard with pins from various events she’s been at before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
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Astros usher Suzann Richardson visits with fans before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
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Astros usher Suzann Richardson, left, visits with coworkers while holding a team autographed baseball before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
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Astros usher Suzann Richardson holds an autographed team baseball gifted to her by players before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
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Astros usher Suzann Richardson holds an autographed team baseball gifted to her by players before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
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Astros usher Suzann Richardson laughs before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
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Astros grounds crew worker Jim Wiggins, right, kisses usher Suzann Richardson on the head before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
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Astros usher Suzann Richardson, left, is handed an autographed ball by the team from ground crew worker Jim Winngs before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
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Astros usher Suzann Richardson, left, is handed an autographed ball by the team from ground crew worker Jim Winngs before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson laughs a she shares memories before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson, right, visits with is seen before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
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Astros usher Suzann Richardson, left, visits with Anita Sehgal, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, before Richardson’s last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
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Astros usher Suzann Richardson, right, visits with Anita Sehgal, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, before Richardson’s last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
A hitless game July 27 dropped Altuve’s batting average to .228. He is 13-for-33 in eight games since, inching his average to .244. Manager Joe Espada noted Tuesday that Altuve has lowered his hands and emphasized getting his front foot down to “be more efficient, shorter to the ball.”
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“Trying to stay away from the ground ball and make those more line drives and trying to get the ball in the air,” Espada said.
BACK IN THE SWING: Carlos Correa cleared for next step
Altuve’s 49.6% ground-ball rate this season, per Baseball Savant, is his highest in a full-length season since 2019. He was pulling the ball in the air at a 19.3% clip, compared to 25.3% and 26.9% the past two seasons, perhaps helping to explain his diminished power numbers.
This spring, Altuve said his pull rate last year partly reflected a flaw in his front-foot placement, and that he aimed to use the middle of the field more, so pulling the ball less may be partly intentional. But both his groundball rate and 20.7% strikeout rate are above his career averages.
BATTERS
AVG
OBA
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
E
Team Totals
.246
.322
3918
540
965
175
10
157
514
393
950
38
16
49
Alvarez
.329
.442
414
78
136
24
0
35
85
81
87
1
0
2
Peña
.311
.369
267
54
83
12
1
13
37
20
56
8
1
5
Correa
.279
.369
122
22
34
8
0
3
16
18
26
1
0
1
Delgado
.273
.314
33
3
9
1
0
1
4
2
5
0
0
2
Diaz
.260
.284
215
25
56
9
0
8
27
7
35
0
1
2
Allen
.260
.307
104
17
27
4
0
1
11
7
24
2
0
5
Shewmake
.256
.272
78
10
20
4
0
3
9
2
13
0
0
2
Paredes
.249
.346
398
44
99
18
1
15
60
45
68
0
0
6
Altuve
.244
.305
357
54
87
14
1
13
34
31
80
2
2
4
Walker
.240
.315
417
58
100
24
1
22
65
38
112
0
0
0
Trammell
.232
.320
155
23
36
6
1
6
19
16
53
3
2
2
Wade
.229
.357
70
10
16
4
0
2
15
14
18
0
0
0
Harris
.226
.286
31
4
7
0
1
0
4
2
6
2
0
0
Vázquez
.218
.272
197
18
43
7
0
5
23
15
41
1
0
0
Smith
.217
.289
374
46
81
15
2
13
40
34
101
10
2
4
Loperfido
.216
.314
102
13
22
7
1
1
12
14
31
1
1
1
Dezenzo
.213
.280
75
11
16
4
0
1
3
7
31
1
0
1
Meyers
.206
.264
136
14
28
6
0
3
11
10
30
1
2
0
Varsho
.200
.429
10
1
2
0
0
0
0
4
3
1
0
0
Matthews
.197
.250
208
23
41
5
1
7
22
15
71
4
4
1
Price
.167
.231
12
1
2
1
0
0
0
1
6
0
0
1
Spence
.162
.244
37
4
6
1
0
0
3
3
15
0
1
1
Cole
.157
.189
51
4
8
1
0
3
8
1
21
0
0
1
Johnson
.143
.294
14
1
2
0
0
0
0
2
3
0
0
0
Whitcomb
.130
.167
23
2
3
0
0
2
5
1
11
0
0
0
Salazar
.056
.227
18
0
1
0
0
0
1
3
3
0
0
0
___
PITCHERS
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
Team Totals
59
57
4.60
116
116
36
1029.1
914
565
526
155
484
1020
Meyers
0
0
0.00
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Hader
3
1
1.12
26
0
15
24
10
3
3
1
10
35
Santa
0
1
1.17
10
0
0
15.1
8
6
2
1
6
9
VanWey
1
0
1.50
5
0
0
6
5
2
1
0
0
5
Okert
5
1
2.24
56
1
0
56.1
36
15
14
6
12
58
Lambert
8
5
3.06
19
19
0
108.2
82
37
37
11
41
108
Sousa
0
1
3.48
13
0
0
10.1
8
6
4
1
7
10
Brown
3
1
3.53
11
11
0
58.2
41
25
23
7
32
63
Pearson
1
0
3.60
16
0
1
20
16
10
8
1
12
16
King
2
3
3.61
45
0
6
47.1
48
21
19
6
16
37
Blubaugh
4
2
3.62
42
0
1
69.2
53
30
28
9
32
71
Wesneski
2
0
3.86
2
2
0
11.2
11
5
5
0
4
8
De Los Santos
1
3
4.22
50
0
5
53.1
50
28
25
7
12
51
Teng
5
6
4.35
25
10
0
68.1
62
37
33
10
30
67
Abreu
3
3
4.43
44
0
7
40.2
29
22
20
7
29
53
Arrighetti
7
5
4.60
17
17
0
88
68
47
45
12
50
87
Roa
0
1
5.19
7
0
0
8.2
10
5
5
1
7
6
Bolton
0
1
5.40
8
3
1
20
21
12
12
3
14
22
Ullola
0
0
5.40
3
0
0
5
4
3
3
2
1
7
Imai
6
4
5.55
16
15
0
61.2
50
38
38
9
40
77
Burrows
4
9
5.99
18
17
0
94.2
112
69
63
21
35
75
Javier
1
2
6.59
9
5
0
27.1
31
20
20
4
15
23
McCullers
2
3
6.86
8
8
0
39.1
38
32
30
7
22
43
Blanco
0
1
7.36
3
3
0
14.2
11
12
12
5
8
16
Murray
0
0
7.43
8
0
0
13.1
19
11
11
1
7
8
Weiss
0
3
7.62
9
2
0
26
35
24
22
8
20
30
France
0
0
8.10
3
0
0
6.2
6
6
6
1
5
4
Salazar
0
0
9.00
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
Alexander
1
1
9.33
4
2
0
18.1
21
19
19
4
8
14
Gordon
0
0
11.57
4
1
0
9.1
21
12
12
6
3
11
Muñoz
0
0
15.75
3
0
0
4
7
7
7
3
6
6
Altuve is seeing a slightly higher rate of sinkers this season. But he said Wednesday he thinks the root of the groundball rate is in swing mechanics, and he is working to be “shorter” and “inside the ball.”
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“Like I said, still in the process of finding the swing I want to get for every game,” he said. “So hopefully I do it and we go from there.”
Each of Altuve’s last 15 hits before Wednesday were singles. He grounded a two-strike curveball into left field for a single in his first at-bat against Taillon. He followed it with the fourth-furthest ball he has put in play this season and 13th home run. He also flied out to the wall in left field in the 10th inning.
Perhaps it meant headway. Altuve has gone five games without a strikeout, also his longest such streak this season. He carried a whiff rate above 25% through June, then posted a 16.5% rate in July. He drew two walks Saturday against the Rangers, his first since July 5.
Bringing his full-season numbers back to career norms will be difficult at this point, but time exists for Altuve to wield an impact that would overshadow the last four months. The Astros know well how quickly Altuve can author a surge, having witnessed it for years. Few developments would seem more welcome down the stretch for a club aiming to play into October.
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“If I can get hot and help the team these last two months and win the division and go to playoffs like that, it’s going to be good for me and for the team,” Altuve said.