Jose Altuve headed to IL with left oblique strain. How will the Astros replace him?

HOUSTON — Right as the Houston Astros were beginning to harness some momentum, second baseman Jose Altuve is headed to the injured list with a Grade 2 left oblique strain, delivering more adversity to a team already struggling to overcome it.Altuve will join 14 other Astros on the injured list, though three of them — shortstop Jeremy Peña, center fielder Jake Meyers and reliever Nate Pearson — are expected to be activated before Monday’s series opener against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.Advertisement