Jose Altuve (27), the designated Houston Astros striker, reacts after being lined up against the Boston Red Sox, 19-year-old Jackie Bradley Jr., blocking a runner and ending the eighth match round of the American League series at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, October 18, 2018, in Houston.
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Jose Altuve (27), the designated Houston Astros striker, reacts after being lined up against the Boston Red Sox, 19-year-old Jackie Bradley Jr., blocking a runner and ending the eighth round of the championship of the American League
… more
Photo: Michael Ciaglo / Personal Photographer
Jose Altuve (27), the designated Houston Astros striker, reacts to the end of Game 5 of Round 5 of the American League Series at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, October 18, 2018 in Houston.
Jose Altuve (27), the designated Houston Astros striker, reacts to the end of Game 5 of Round 5 of the American League Series at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, October 18, 2018 in Houston.
Photo: Karen Warren / Staff Photographer
Jose Altuve (27), the designated Houston Astros striker, reacts after being lined up against the Boston Red Sox, 19-year-old Jackie Bradley Jr., blocking a runner and ending the eighth match round of the American League series at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, October 18, 2018, in Houston.
less
Jose Altuve (27), the designated Houston Astros striker, reacts after being lined up against the Boston Red Sox, 19-year-old Jackie Bradley Jr., blocking a runner and ending the eighth round of the championship of the American League
Jose Altuve (27), the designated Houston Astros striker, reacts after being lined up against the Boston Red Sox, 19-year-old Jackie Bradley Jr., blocking a runner and ending the eighth game round of the American League series at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, 18, 2018, in Houston.
less
Jose Altuve (27), the designated Houston Astros striker, reacts after being lined up against the Boston Red Sox, 19-year-old Jackie Bradley Jr., blocking a runner and ending the eighth round of the championship of the American League
… more
Photo: Michael Ciaglo / Personal Photographer
Astros Jose Altuve underwent surgery to repair a right knee injury
Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was operated on his right knee on Friday, according to a report by MLB.com.
General Manager Jeff Luhnow did not respond to a request for comment.
After Houston's 4-1 defeat against the fifth game of the American League series, Altuve said he would talk with the coaches and lay out his plan for the knee injury that derailed his season.
"It's hard, but as I said, I'm not a superhero, I'm not the only one to have done it," Altuve said. "There are guys who have played in the worst situations I have"
After prematurely leaving a game against the Rockies on July 25, Altuve missed 21 games while he was on the disabled list for the first time in his major league career. He returned on August 21, but reduced only 0.28 / 0.39 / 402 in the next 145 appearances. Altuve finished the 2017 season with 169 hits, its smallest number since 2012.
The quintessential American League player has played "on one leg" for most ALCS games against the Red Sox, "coach A.J. Hinch said.
Altuve again greased the knee once in the second game and again in a slip to second base in the third match. He has been the designated Houston forward for three of five games, finishing the series 5-2.
"Great heart, it's all about his heart, he's such a great example of what's right," Hinch said after the fifth game loss. "I've been saying it over and over again … I'd like you to know what he had to do to play every day, get ready, and then contribute and do well."