Altuve fractured his right thumb during the March 18 World Baseball Classic game when he was hit by a pitch, taking the second baseman out of the game and requiring surgery, according to a news release from the Space Cowboys and an article from MLB.com.
The Space Cowboys are the Triple-A affiliate for the Astros, meaning the team often hosts major league players who are undergoing rehabilitation after an injury for an undetermined number of games before heading back to Minute Maid Park, Community Impact previously reported. The Space Cowboys—then called the Sugar Land Skeeters—began playing in the Pacific Coast League, which is the Triple-A league for Minor League Baseball, in the 2021 season.
Altuve’s last stint with the Space Cowboys was in Oklahoma for two games in April 2022, according to the release.
Garrett Greene, media relations manager and broadcaster for the Space Cowboys, said in an email Altuve is set to play at Constellation Field for games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Greene said rehab assignments of major league players typically have a "positive impact" on ticket sales.
"We’re always excited to have rehab assignments like Jose Altuve and other star Astros’ players at Constellation Field," he said. "Fortunately for this weekend in particular, our ticket sales are already high, and that just means our fans already planning to attend get the added bonus of seeing Jose Altuve play. The community support that we have is fantastic and we can’t thank our fans enough for their support, and we’re happy that a rehab assignment like this just enhances their experience at Constellation Field."
The Space Cowboys face off May 12 against the El Paso Chihuahuas, with Constellation Field's gates opening at 5 p.m. and the first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. Tickets are available at slspacecowboys.com, with tickets ranging in price from $15-$43, as of press time.
