Bad luck continues for Astros, place Jose Altuve on injured list

Astros' Jose Altuve during spring training

The Houston Astros continue to be bitten by the injury bug in a big way during the truncated 2020 MLB season.

We’ve already seen the likes of Justin Verlander, Roberto Osuna and George Springer miss time to injury. In fact, Verlander has missed the entire season while Osuna has pitched in a grand total of four games this season.

We now have some more bad news on this front.

Former AL MVP Jose Altuve on injured list with knee sprain

Astros roster moves:

– Jose Altuve (right knee) to the IL, retroactive to Sept. 4
– Jose Urquidy and Brad Peacock activated from the IL
– Humberto Castellanos added as the 29th man
– Cionel Perez optioned
– Rogelio Armenteros transferred to the 45-day IL
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) September 5, 2020

Altuve suffered the injury sliding into third base during Thursday’s game against the Texas Rangers. It was likely that he’d miss this weekend’s series against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim before this report came out. Altuve will now be sidelined at least the next nine days. Though, the knee sprain will likely take more time to heal.

The American League MVP back in 2017, Altuve has stuggled big time this season. He’s hitting a mere .224 with three homers, 12 RBI and a .606 OPS.

Despite Altuve’s struggles and the Astros’ rash of injuries, they entered Saturday’s game against the Angels at 21-16 and just two games behind the Oakland Athletics in the American League West.