HOUSTON – José Altuve, renowned Venezuelan baseball player, will not participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The request from the Houston Astros, who want the player to remain with the team during Spring Training, was the trigger for this decision, according to a source close to the team. So far, there is no official confirmation from the club.
Last Saturday, during the Astros’ annual FanFest, Altuve had expressed his desire to represent Venezuela in the international tournament. Omar López, current bench coach for Houston and who will manage the Venezuelan team, had confirmed that Altuve would be the starting second baseman and third batter for the team.
The Astros’ decision is primarily based on medical history. In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Altuve suffered a fracture in his right thumb, an injury that required surgery and kept him out of action for the first 43 games of the regular season.
Upon his return in mid-May 2023, Altuve had an outstanding offensive performance, with a line of .311/.393/.522, 17 home runs, and 51 RBIs in 90 games. In the following two seasons, he remained healthy, playing 153 games in 2024 and 155 in 2025, the highest combined total for an Astros player in that period.
However, Altuve experienced discomfort in his right foot during the closing of the 2025 season and underwent a procedure in November. Although the player assured he felt completely recovered, caution prevailed.
In the past season, Altuve played in multiple positions, including second base, designated hitter, and left fielder, although he is expected to return to second base regularly in 2026.
At 36 years old, Altuve continues to forge a Hall of Fame-caliber career, with three batting titles, the American League MVP award in 2017, two World Series rings, seven Silver Bats, and nine All-Star selections.
The Venezuelan will begin the season with 2,388 hits, the second-highest figure in Astros history, and is 112 hits away from reaching 2,500, staying on track towards the 3,000-hit club. Altuve has a contract with Houston for four more seasons.
The Venezuelan selection, located in Group D of the World Baseball Classic, will play an exhibition game against the Astros on March 3, before debuting in the group stage on March 6 against the Netherlands, followed by commitments against Israel, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
