Astros 2B Jose Altuve placed on IL with Grade 2 left oblique strain

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will go on the injured list after exiting Saturday's game with a Grade 2 left oblique strain, Houston manager Joe Espada told reporters Sunday.

Altuve underwent an MRI exam Sunday morning after he was removed ahead of the ninth inning. During his eighth-inning at-bat, he grimaced after connecting on a grounder to third and did not run out the play, instead walking back to the dugout in pain.

Espada did not share an idea of a timeline for how long Altuve could be sidelined.

"Obviously just not what we wanted to hear," Espada said. "But we find ourselves having to fight through this one here. So these young players are going to continue to get opportunities."

The Astros are already without third baseman Carlos Correa, who had season-ending ankle surgery, and Jeremy Pena, who has been sidelined since April 11 with a hamstring strain but could return as soon as Monday in Minnesota.

Altuve, 36, is hitting .245 with four homers and 12 RBIs in 42 games this season. The nine-time All-Star has played his entire 16-year career with Houston, posting a career .302 average with 259 homers and 901 RBIs.

--Field Level Media