Altuve (thumb) went 0-for-4 and played seven innings for Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Altuve said after the game that he plans to play tomorrow, and that his timing is still off which is to be expected, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. The infielder got his first action since breaking his thumb during the World Baseball Classic back in March, and the most important thing is that he's finally getting reps after missing two-plus months. Altuve will likely need a few more rehab games, but it appears likely he'll be playing for the Astros and hitting at the top of the lineup at some point next week.

Altuve (thumb) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Out all season following surgery to repair a fractured right thumb, Altuve resumed baseball activities last week and has progressed to the point of being game-ready. There's no word on how long his rehab assignment will last, but knowing Altuve he'll probably push to return as soon as possible.

Altuve (thumb) is taking live batting with Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Altuve continues to get closer to returning to the field for the Astros and is not far away from starting a rehab stint. The infielder has missed the first month-plus of action with his broken right thumb, and it looks like he's going to make his return to the diamond more quickly than anticipated. There's a very good chance that Altuve is hitting at the top of the Houston lineup close to the middle of May.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Altuve (thumb) could be ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment "within a week or so, maybe, as long as he continues to progress," Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite undergoing surgery to repair his fractured right thumb March 22, Altuve looks like he could be on pace for a return from the 10-day injured list in fewer than two months. He took batting practice for the second consecutive day Sunday and also took part in fielding work and baserunning drills. Mauricio Dubon has been holding down the fort at the keystone all season while Altuve has been on the shelf, but Dubon is expected to move into more of a utility role once the eight-time All-Star completes his rehab assignment and is deemed ready for his 2023 MLB debut.

Altuve (thumb) took batting practice, fielded grounders and did some running Sunday in Seattle, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros' decision not to place Altuve on the 60-day injured list to begin the season after he underwent surgery March 22 on his right thumb appears to be a wise one, as the 33-year-old looks like he'll have a chance at being ready to make his season debut well before late May. As Chandler Rome of The Athletic notes, Altuve slugged about six home runs in batting practice Sunday, which seemingly suggests that his power hasn't been compromised even though he had surgery on his dominant hand. The Astros haven't outlined when Altuve might be ready for a rehab assignment, but it could happen as soon as the upcoming week.

Altuve (thumb) took batting practice Saturday in Seattle, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Altuve has been out since he broke his thumb while playing in the WBC in late March, but Saturday's limited action is a big step in his recovery. The second baseman is on the 60-day injured list and is first eligible to return May 25 and is set to undergo imaging on the injured finger soon. Barring any negative test results, Altuve could be nearing a rehab assignment in the next couple weeks.

Altuve (thumb) said Wednesday that he's been cleared to field groundballs and test his grip on a bat, but he hasn't been cleared to swing as of yet, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Altuve said that the next two weeks of his rehab are "really important" with regard to shaping his timeline for a return from the 10-day injured list. The infielder has missed all of the 2023 season after breaking his right thumb during the World Baseball Classic. It's a positive sign that Altuve is able to start fielding grounders and potentially grip a bat, but he still has several checkpoints to hit in his recovery before he'll be able to contribute for Houston and fantasy teams.

Altuve (thumb) fielded grounders pregame at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It appears to be the first bit of baseball activity Altuve has performed since he had surgery in late March to repair a fractured right thumb. Altuve is also slated to be examined by the doctor Tuesday to gauge his progress. Based on how that visit goes, we might get a clearer picture on his timetable.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Altuve (thumb) is ahead of schedule and will undergo X-rays in the next two weeks to gauge how he's healing, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown noted that the second baseman has shown "great movement and flexibility in the thumb" during his rehab. Altuve broke his thumb after being hit by a pitch in the World Baseball Classic, and while Houston didn't place him on the 60-day injured list, he's not expected to return to the lineup until the latter part of May. A more specific timeline should be available after Altuve undergoes imaging on the thumb in around two weeks.

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.