Astros general manager Dana Brown expressed optimism Thursday that Altuve (thumb) will be back from the injured list before June, Mark Berman of FOX 26 reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown said when Altuve had thumb surgery just over a week ago that the second baseman wouldn't be able to resume baseball activities for two months. Evidently that was either a conservative estimate, or the club expects Altuve to get back up to speed very quickly upon ramping things up again. Altuve was notably placed on the 10-day IL on Thursday rather than the 60-day IL, leaving open the possibility for an earlier return.