How Will Astros Replace Jose Altuve? Second Baseman Out 8-10 Weeks

Sunday morning, USA Today Bob Nightengale reported that Jose Altuve is expected to miss 8-10 weeks with a broken right thumb. Altuve sustained the injury when he was hit by a pitch from Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard Saturday night in the World Baseball Classic. Altuve was playing for Venezuela, who lost 9-7 Saturday night to Team USA. Team USA will advance to the World Baseball Classic semifinals, where they will have a date with Team Cuba in Miami Sunday night.

The loss of Altuve will surely sting for the Houston Astros, as they attempt to defend their crown after winning the World Series for the second time in franchise history in 2022.

With Altuve likely missing the first two months of the 2023 season, where will Astros manager Dusty Baker turn?

Unless the club plans to bring in help from the outside, it will embrace the 'next man up' mentality it has stuck to in recent years.

A year ago, the Astros did not re-sign All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa, who instead signed a three-year deal with the Minnesota Twins. The Astros turned to a relatively unknown at a highly important position.

Jeremy Pena wasn't a blue chip, can't-miss prospect at any point in his minor league career. But Pena would go on to have a rookie season to be remembered, collecting a Gold Glove and World Series title, as well as World Series MVP and ALCS MVP honors.

This year, the Astros could find another breakout star on the other side of second base, who will now be thrust into a big opportunity.

David Hensley and Mauricio Dubon will likely share time at second base, in Altuve's absence.

Hensley earned a promotion from Triple-A Sugar Land last August. Over 16 games, Hensley contributed as a utility man, making appearances at second base, third base, shortstop, left field and designated hitter.

Hensley shined at the plate, batting .345 with a .441 on base percentage, 1.027 OPS, 191 OPS+, one home run and five RBI.

A native of San Diego, California, the Astros selected Hensley in the 26th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft out of San Diego State University. As part of its new Collective Bargaining Agreement, as of 2022, MLB no longer has a 26th round. The Draft is now just 20 rounds.

Like Pena, Hensley was never a 'blue-chip prospect.' Prior to 2022, Hensley never ranked as a top 30 prospect in the Astros' farm system per MLB.com, but the infielder kept his head down and worked.

Hensley excelled in Double-A Corpus Christi in 2021, slashing .293/.369/.808 with nine home runs and 51 RBI over 105 games. He was named the Corpus Christi Hooks' Player of the Year.

In 104 games in Triple-A Sugar Land in 2022, Hensley slashed .298/.420/.898 with 10 home runs and 57 RBI, earning him his call to the show late in the season.

Hensley even started two World Series games last fall, in which he collected a hit in both games.

Now, Hensley will have his shot at regular playing time at the Major League level.

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