The Houston Astros are looking to bounce back and make the playoffs after their disappointing 2025 season. Marred with injuries, the Astros need to be healthy next year.
But the Astros might be at risk of a few of their players getting hurt before the season even begins. The World Baseball Classic is a chance for players to play for their home country, but it's an injury risk for teams.
And for the Astros, they're getting one part of their wish. According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Jose Altuve of the Astros made a big decision on his WBC availability, listening to the request from the Astros.
Astros get big Jose Altuve news for WBC
"All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve has opted not to participate in this year's World Baseball Classic at the request of the Astros, a source said Monday. The blub has not confirmed the news," McTaggart writes.
This is a significant report from McTaggart. Altuve, with likely his last chance to play for Team Venezuela before his retirement, won't be suiting up for his home country.
Instead, the Astros' future Hall of Famer is going to prepare for the upcoming 2026 MLB season. Altuve want's to play for Team Venezuela, but is listening to the Astros.
This is not a strange request for the Astros to make. During the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Altuve suffered an injury in the tournament, fracturing his right thumb, missing 43 games of the 2023 season for the Astros.
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That's a big chunk of the year he missed due to the tournament, and the 35-year-old second baseman missing that much time would be a huge loss for the Astros.
While asking Altuve to sit out might not seem like the best idea for the Astros, considering the injury he sustained the last time he played in the tournament, it's not a major surprise that the Astros are requesting this of their star infielder.
Altuve agreeing to sit out the tournament is also some good news for the Astros front office.
Having a healthy Altuve for 2026 is a big deal, and this decision should help him be good to go for the regular season.
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