Altuve will make his Grapefruit League debut in left field for the Astros on Friday versus the Cardinals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Altuve has never played left field in pro ball, but he's been working out there extensively this spring and it appears to be the position he's most likely to man on a regular basis for the Astros this season. The 34-year-old slashed .295/.350/.439 with 20 home runs and 22 stolen bases across 153 regular-season contests for Houston last season.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Altuve will make his Grapefruit League debut in left field later this week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Altuve's workouts so far in camp have focused on left field, and that's the position he'll man in his first game this spring. As long as he proves to be adequate defensively, it seems as though Houston plans to play him there often, if not on a full-time basis. Altuve has never played the outfield either at the major- or minor-league level.

Manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Altuve will play left field in first Grapefruit League game this spring, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Altuve has seen significant reps in the outfield in the early days of camp and will work with the outfielders exclusively over the next 4-to-5 days. It's becoming clear at this point that the Astros are serious about potentially moving Altuve to left field, although the 34-year-old will have to show he's comfortable out there before the team commits to it. If Altuve does shift to the outfield, Mauricio Dubon looks to be the current favorite to start at second base. Houston also just agreed to a minor-league deal with Brendan Rodgers, who will be a threat to win the second base job.

Astros manager Joe Espada reiterated Monday that Altuve will see action at both second base and in left field this spring, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Earlier this month, Espada revealed that Altuve had been working out in left field for a couple weeks before the start of spring training, perhaps in anticipation of the Astros re-signing third baseman Alex Bregman, which would have resulted in offseason pickup Isaac Paredes shifting over to second base. While Bregman ultimately came to terms with the Red Sox on a three-year, $120 million deal, the Astros aren't yet closing the door on giving Altuve some exposure to left field, a position the 34-year-old hasn't played at any point since beginning his professional career in 2007. Espada said that he's made no permanent decisions on where Altuve will play this season, calling it an "everyday thing" with regard to how Altuve's deployment in the field will evolve throughout the spring based on the feedback he receives from the veteran. Even if Altuve ends up opening the season at his familiar spot at the keystone, the Astros could still look to move him to left field later on in the campaign to make way in the infield for top prospect Brice Matthews, who has spent most of his time at shortstop in the minors but made 11 starts at second base during winter ball in Puerto Rico.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Altuve has been working out in left field for the last two weeks, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Altuve would move to left field if the Astros re-sign Alex Bregman, but it sounds like he might see some action in the outfield whether Bregman is brought back or not. Espada added that while he won't commit to how many games Altuve will play in the outfield, it's "something that we are looking at to create some flexibility." Altuve, 34, has never played the outfield either at the major- or minor-league level. Adding outfield eligibility would give him a boost in fantasy value.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Tuesday that Altuve could get some reps in left field in addition to second base this season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown added the caveat that Altuve playing left field might only happen if the team makes another roster addition. It's clear he's referring to the possibility of re-signing Alex Bregman, which would result in Isaac Paredes shifting to second base and Altuve playing left field, a position he's never manned before. Altuve said recently at the team's FanFest event that he would be willing to move to left field to accommodate the return of Bregman.

Altuve was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Guardians while it was in a rain delay, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The game had been delayed for almost an hour when the team submitted a new lineup without Altuve, Kyle Tucker or Alex Bregman, as the Astros opted to not risk one of their veterans getting injured in subpar conditions.

Altuve isn't in Houston's lineup Saturday versus Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

After tallying a base hit in four of his last five games, Altuve will get a day to rest Saturday while Mauricio Dubon starts at second base and bats seventh.

Altuve went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored in Friday's 5-2 victory over the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

The Houston second baseman knocked two doubles of starter Joey Cantillo for his 30th and 31st two-baggers of the season. This performance hopefully snaps Altuve out of a cold spell, as he entered the contest hitting just .154 (6-for-39) over his last nine games. Overall, the nine-time All-Star is slashing .295/.350/.439 with 20 homers, 94 runs scored, 65 runs scored and 22 steals in 682 plate appearances across 153 games this season.

Altuve is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Mariners, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Altuve will get a breather one day after the Astros wrapped up another division title. Shay Whitcomb will handle second base and bat seventh Wednesday.