Jose Altuve Asks Out of Astros' Leadoff Spot, Jokes He Needs More Time to Get From LF

Jose Altuve's idea took a mere six innings to pay off.

Altuve hit second in the Houston Astros' order in Monday's game against the Detroit Tigers at his own request, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Rome noted it was the first time since June 2023 that the nine-time All-Star started anywhere except for leadoff, and he did so because he asked to be moved out of the spot.

Manager Joe Espada inserted Jeremy Peña at leadoff in an effort to shake things up for a struggling offense.

"My at-bats haven't been really good or the way I want it lately," Altuve said. "Maybe hitting with him on base or whoever on base will help me get to the point I want to."

That was quite prescient, as Peña was on base when Altuve launched a two-run homer in the sixth inning of Monday's contest to give the Astros the lead.

It was a much-needed boost for a franchise player who started the game in a 9-for-50 slump.

Altuve also joked that moving from the leadoff spot gives him more time to catch his breath after running in from his new position in left field.

"I just need like 10 more seconds," he said.

"I'm here to do whatever Joe tells me to do and whatever the team needs (from) me. They needed me in left field some games. They need me at second some games. I'll be there. I think that extra 30 seconds coming from left is going to make me feel better at home plate."

Houston is a solid-but-unspectacular 14-13 on the season and 1.5 games back of the Seattle Mariners in the early American League West standings. Having Altuve return to his normal form is the best way to close that gap, and he showed what he was capable of from a new spot in the lineup Monday.