Astros' Jose Altuve Still Expected to Move to Left Even After Alex Bregman's Exit

Jose Altuve, the cornerstone of the Houston Astros' infield for over a decade, is preparing for a major defensive shift that might leave fans doing a double take. Manager Joe Espada confirmed Monday that the team plans to play Altuve mostly in left field this season, signaling the end of his reign as the league's most seasoned second baseman.

“Right now, the plan is for him to play the majority of his games in left field,” Espada explained, emphasizing that the days of moving Altuve between positions are over. "Back and forth is something that I am going to avoid." Brace yourselves, Astros fans—it’s going to be weird seeing No. 27 anywhere but at second base.

Since debuting in 2011, Altuve has been a rock at second, snagging the Gold Glove in 2015 and leading the American League in 2020 with the fewest errors in the position. His name is etched in Astros history, from his MVP-winning 2017 season to clutch performances in their 2017 and 2022 World Series triumphs. But even legends adapt. While his bat has cooled slightly—he hit a respectable .295 last year—his defensive skills remain sharp. With just five errors across 146 starts in 2024 and a .989 fielding percentage, he’s still got the golden touch.

The shift to left field was initially floated when Houston was negotiating to retain third baseman Alex Bregman. The thinking? If Bregman stayed, newly acquired Isaac Paredes might need to slide to second, pushing Altuve to the outfield. But even after Bregman defected to the Boston Red Sox, the Astros decided to stick with the plan. Altuve, ever the team player, had said at FanFest in January, “Whatever I have to do for [Bregman] to stay, I’m willing to do it.” On the challenge of playing outfield for the first time, he joked, “For Alex, nothing will be difficult.” That’s the kind of loyalty fans dream about.

Now, with Bregman out of the picture, Mauricio Dubon and Brendan Rodgers are taking turns at second during spring training. Dubon has proven his versatility by playing nearly every position for Houston, while Rodgers, a free-agent acquisition from the Rockies, is settling into his new surroundings. Meanwhile, Altuve—a nine-time All-Star and three-time batting champ—prepares to make a fresh start in left field. Out of his 1,767 career starts, only two have been outside second base. Talk about stepping out of your comfort zone.

As the Astros navigate this transition, one thing’s for sure: Altuve’s dedication to the team is as unwavering as ever. Whether at the keystone or under the outfield lights, he’ll give it his all. And hey, if anyone can pull off such a dramatic position switch, it’s Altuve. After all, this is the guy who made a 5’6” frame look like a giant in MLB history.