Altuve (oblique) was activated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Altuve has missed nearly three weeks of action due to left oblique soreness, but he's been working out lately with no issues and will return to the Astros' lineup without a rehab assignment. The veteran second baseman will carry a .264/.371/.479 batting line with six home runs and five stolen bases over 32 games into action Wednesday.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said there's a chance Altuve (oblique) could be activated Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Yordan Alvarez (oblique) is also a possibility for Wednesday's series finale against the Rangers. Altuve landed on the injured list July 6 due to left oblique soreness, but he's been doing baseball activities without issue for the last week or so and will apparently be allowed to skip a minor-league rehab assignment.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Monday that it's possible Altuve (oblique) can be activated without going out on a rehab assignment first, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baker did note that he has not yet spoken to Altuve about the possibility. Altuve began taking batting practice last week as he works his way back from a left oblique strain, so if he doesn't wind up needing rehab games it seems as if he could be activated relatively soon. The veteran second baseman has been sidelined since early July.

Altuve (oblique) took batting practice on the field prior to the Astros' game Tuesday against the Rockies, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Altuve began running the bases Sunday, so he's steadily ramping up his activity. Though there's been no official timeline given, it's expected that he'll begin a rehab assignment shortly with the target being a return in late July.

Altuve (oblique) ran the bases before Sunday's game against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Dusty Baker also said before Sunday's matchup that Altuve will travel with the Astros for their upcoming road trip to Colorado, so the second baseman will require more time before he's able to begin a rehab assignment. Altuve also took grounders at second base just before the All-Star break, so he's made encouraging progress over the past week.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Altuve (oblique) is healing faster than anticipated, but the second baseman isn't expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list when first eligible July 14, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown's comments came after Altuve was able to take grounders at second base prior to Sunday's game against the Mariners, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Though the GM didn't put a firm target date on Altuve's return from the IL, Brown suggested that the eight-time All-Star is about a week behind slugger Yordan Alvarez (oblique) in their respective recovery programs. Alvarez is expected to begin a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break, so if all goes well in Altuve's recovery over the next week, the 33-year-old could be cleared to join a minor-league affiliate the week after. Mauricio Dubon should continue to handle the keystone on an everyday basis until Altuve is deemed ready to return from the IL.

Altuve said that MRI results showed a "minor" issue with his left oblique Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Altuve also noted that the results were better than he was expecting. While he didn't comment on a possible return timeline, he expressed optimism about returning shortly after the All-Star break. The 33-year-old second baseman tweaked his left oblique during batting practice Tuesday and was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday (retroactive to Tuesday).

The Astros placed Altuve on the 10-day injured list Thursday with left oblique discomfort.

EDGE Analysis

After tweaking his oblique during batting practice Tuesday, Altuve will officially be sidelined through the All-Star break. The move is retroactive to July 4, so Altuve will be eligible to return as soon as the break is over. Mauricio Dubon will presumably handle second base while Altuve is out, and David Hensley was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land to fill Altuve's roster spot.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that a decision hasn't been made regarding whether Altuve (oblique) will go on the 10-day injured list, but the second baseman could be held out of the lineup through the All-Star break, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports. "I don't think there's any rush to bring him back," Brown said.

EDGE Analysis

After he tweaked his left oblique during batting practice Tuesday, Altuve was sent in for an MRI on Wednesday, and the Astros plan to review the results of those tests Thursday before determining whether the 33-year-old will require a trip to the IL. Mauricio Dubon has started at second base in Altuve's stead over the past two games and appears likely to hold down a regular spot in the lineup the rest of the week, barring Altuve showing dramatic improvement. Since Altuve last played Monday, he would still be eligible to return for the Astros' first game after the break July 14 against the Angels if Houston decides to place him on the IL.

Altuve (oblique) will undergo an MRI on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Altuve tweaked his left oblique during batting practice Tuesday and will now get checked out to determine the severity. He also dealt with an oblique issue last month, missing four games but ultimately avoiding the injured list. The Astros might play things more cautiously this time around, but we'll have to wait and see what the MRI says.