Brice

Matthews

Shewmake was removed from Saturday’s game with groin tightness and will now find his way to the injured list. There is no timeline for his return, but it will give Brice Matthews a chance to take the starting second base job with Jose Altuve (oblique) also out. Matthews is starting at second base and batting eighth on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old Matthews had spent a lot of time in centerfield for the Astros this season, but after Jose Altuve got hurt, he started at second base twice over the weekend. Then, Jeremy Pena was activated from the injured list on Monday, and Matthews started in center field. Yet, the Astros then activated Jake Meyers from the injured list on Tuesday, and Matthews headed to the bench. With Meyers, Cam Smith, Zach Cole, and Zach Dezenzo all in the outfield, it seems like Matthews has entered a timeshare at second base with Braden Shewmake. Matthews has plus raw tools, but he also has a .207 average and 31.5 percent strikeout rate in 127 plate appearances this season, so it’s hard to see him as a reliable fantasy contributor.

That figures to cost him at least a month. Brice Matthews started at second base today and could be the primary guy there while Altuve is out, though Braden Shewmake could also be in the mix once shortstop Jeremy Peña is activated.

Altuve was sent for imaging on Sunday after injuring his left side on a swing during Saturday’s ballgame. The results of that MRI are not yet known, but it’s at least somewhat encouraging that he hasn’t been placed on the injured list — at least as of now. Brice Matthews will start in his place at second base and will bat leadoff for the Astros against Nathan Eovaldi and the Rangers on Sunday afternoon.

Nick Allen replaced him at the end of Friday’s game. If Altuve lands on the IL, the Astros could give Brice Matthews some time at second base. He’ll be less needed in the outfield with Jake Meyers and Joey Loperfido nearly ready to return. Braden Shewmake could also play some second base after Jeremy Peña is activated.

There haven’t been any reports of any lingering ailments for the 36-year-old infielder, so we’ll assume that this is just a regular day of rest for Altuve. Brice Matthews will start in his place at second base and will bat leadoff for the Astros against Rangers’ right-hander Jack Leiter.

Matthews singled twice last night, but those are his only hits over 23 at-bats in his last six games. He also hasn’t drawn a walk since May 4, leaving him at .196/.252/.373 for the season. With Jake Meyers on a rehab assignment, Matthews could be looking at a return to Triple-A next week.

José Altuve is getting a day off today, and Carlos Correa is out with an ankle injury, so Matthews will take the top spot in the order. It’s a strong vote of confidence for the former top prospect, who is 9- for-47 over his last two weeks with two home runs and one steal. Matthews is unlikely to sport a high batting average, but he does have intriguing power and speed if he continues to play regularly in Houston.

Matthews put three on the board and probably kept a couple off it with a fantastic jumping catch against the center field wall to rob Willson Contreras of a double in the fourth. A week ago, it seemed like a given that Matthews would head back to Triple-A once the Astros got healthier. However, he’s gone 9-for-21 with two homers and six RBI in his last five games, raising his OPS from .497 to .725.

Neither is Carlos Correa. The Astros will roll with a double play combination of Brice Matthews at second base and Braden Shewmake at shortstop against RHP Brandon Young.