The Houston Astros entered the offseason with the sting of missing the 2025 MLB playoffs still fresh. Their postseason streak had stretched across eight straight years, producing two championships and cementing the franchise as one of baseball’s modern powerhouses.

That run ended this fall, leaving the club facing pointed questions about whether the window that once seemed wide open is starting to narrow. At the center of that discussion is Jose Altuve, the longest-tenured Astro and the face of the team’s recent dominance.Altuve completed his 15th season in Houston showing the kind of durability and competitiveness that has defined his career. He appeared in 155 games at age 35 and remained a productive bat, even as his numbers reflected a player pushing through discomfort.

Now, as the Astros begin shaping their plans for 2026, the team is processing new health news surrounding their cornerstone second baseman.

Jose Altuve’s foot procedure adds an offseason wrinkle for the Astros

Early in the offseason, word emerged that Jose Altuve underwent a minor procedure on his right foot. According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, “Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, who was bothered by a sore right foot in the final two weeks of the regular season, underwent a minor skin aspiration Monday, a source told MLB.com.

“He will be ready for the start of Spring Training.” McTaggart added, “Altuve had a procedure to remove fluid from a wound between his fourth and fifth toes on his right foot, the source said.”

The injury dates back to September 13 against Atlanta, when Altuve was pulled from a game with discomfort and remained out the following night. Still, he played through the issue as Houston fought to stay alive in the playoff race. Once the Astros were eliminated, he finally sat. Even then, his competitive edge showed in flashes. Over his final 22 plate appearances, he posted a .353 average and a .500 on-base percentage, a reminder of the offensive spark he can still provide.

How Jose Altuve’s health shapes Houston’s roster outlook

Altuve’s surgery is not expected to delay his spring training readiness, but it arrives at a complicated moment for Houston. His overall production dipped in 2025, as he hit .265 with the lowest full-season on-base percentage he has posted in more than a decade.

The Astros have also wrestled with how to manage his defensive role. They experimented with him in left field, hoping the short porch could mask range limitations, but manager Joe Espada ultimately returned him to second base.The challenge is that Houston lacks a clear internal replacement. Brice Matthews flashed promise but struck out at a high rate. Mauricio Dubón offers defense but not consistent offense, and his projected salary complicates the evaluation. Ramón Urías, meanwhile, struggled after the trade deadline. Those realities leave Altuve as the primary option for now, though the team remains linked to external possibilities such as Brendan Donovan or Brandon Lowe.Also Read: Javier Báez’s wife Irmarie posts a touching tribute to her late mother, receiving warm reactions from MLB partners