Astros second baseman Jose Altuve hasn’t appeared in a game in six days because of a mild right hamstring strain. But he was available for use as a pinch-hitter on Saturday afternoon against the Cubs and is nearly ready to return for good.
According to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart, Astros manager Brad Mills told reporters after Saturday’s 3-2 loss that he plans to write Altuve’s name into the lineup for Sunday’s series finale at Wrigley Field.
Altuve, 22, is hitting .309/.351/.453 with five homers, four triples and 12 steals in 71 games this season.