Houston's six-time All-Star second baseman is batting second tonight against the Boston Red Sox. HOUSTON (AP) — Six-time All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve is a designated hitter for the Houston Astros in the playoffs for the first time. Astros manager A.J. Hinch has Altuve as the DH for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against Boston. Altuve bruised his right knee during the playoffs and it is still bothering him. Last year's AL MVP has dealt with right knee soreness since July, when he went on the disabled list for the first time in his career. Altuve was still batting second against the Red Sox and right-hander Nathan Eolvadi on Tuesday night. Marwin Gonzalez, who had played left field the first two ALCS games, moved to second base. Tony Kemp was the left fielder. "When I need to play Jose at DH my answer is Marwin Gonzalez and Tony in the outfield," said Astros manager AJ Hinch. "We're more comfortable with this alignment both at the beginning of the game and potentially the end of the game." For the Red Sox, Eduardo Nunez was starting at third base over left-handed hitting Rafael Devers against Houston lefty Dallas Keuchel. Devers was 2 for 3 with a walk, two runs scored and an RBI in the Red Sox's 7-5 victory in Game 2.<doc-sep>HOUSTON -- Six-time All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve is a designated hitter for the Houston Astros in the playoffs for the first time. Astros manager A.J. Hinch has Altuve as the DH for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against Boston. Altuve bruised his right knee during the playoffs and it is still bothering him. Last year's AL MVP has dealt with right knee soreness since July, when he went on the disabled list for the first time in his career. Altuve is still batting second against the Red Sox and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi on Tuesday night. Marwin Gonzalez, who had played left field the first two ALCS games, moves to second base. Tony Kemp is the left fielder. For the Red Sox, Eduardo Nunez is starting at third base over left-handed-hitting Rafael Devers against Houston lefty Dallas Keuchel. Devers was 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and an RBI in the Red Sox's 7-5 victory in Game 2.<doc-sep>HOUSTON -- Earlier this season, for the first time in his big league career, Jose Altuve had to be placed on the disabled list. An achy knee sidelined him for about four weeks in July and August. On Monday, Astros manager A.J. Hinch confirmed the knee is still giving Altuve some problems. "He's doing his best. It's not comfortable for him. I know he's what we call grinding and battling and doing everything that he can," said Hinch. "... Obviously (the knee) didn't hurt his swing in the ninth inning (in Game 2). He's able to be a productive player. But he's battling a little bit." Hinch said he is considering putting Altuve at DH for Game 3 -- Marwin Gonzalez would play second base in that case, Hinch added -- just to get him off his feet a bit. Games 3-5 of the ALCS will be played on three consecutive days and the Astros don't want to push Altuve too much and have the knee become a bigger problem. Altuve is 5 for 22 (.227) with a home run through five postseason games and 1 for 8 (.125) in the ALCS. He did finish the regular season quite strong, hitting .307/.409/.453 with three home runs in his final 20 games. It's worth noting Altuve attempted only five stolen bases in 33 games after returning from the disabled list, which may indicate he's trying to protect the knee. "Team-wise, I think we are where we want to be. And I'm really happy with that. We've been working many years to become a playoff team. We did it last year. We had a lot of success," said Altuve last week. "Individually, I think I could do better. A lot of ups and downs for me this year, but we're here in the playoffs and it's an opportunity to redeem (my) season." Jose Altuve has been dealing with a nagging knee problem since July. USATSI With Altuve out and Gonzalez sliding from left field to second base, the Astros figure to install the speedy Tony Kemp in left and remove Tyler White, the incumbent DH, from the lineup. The other left field option would be Jake Marisnick, though Kemp is a much more productive hitter and, as a left-handed hitter, he'd also have the platoon advantage against Red Sox Game 3 starter Nathan Eovaldi. Here's what Houston's lineup could look like with Altuve at DH in Game 3: Correa has struggled ever since suffering a back injury and returning from the disabled list in August, though he is starting to find his stroke, and Hinch could move him up in the lineup in Game 3. Point is, even with Altuve relegated to DH, the Astros can plug the underrated Kemp into the lineup and still run a very formidable batting order out there.<doc-sep>
After reaggravating his right knee during the American League Division Series — and showing noticeable hindrance during the first two games of the American League Championship Series in Boston — Jose Altuve was the Astros’ designated hitter for Game 3 of the ALCS against the Red Sox. A.J. Hinch said Monday he was “considering” limiting the reigning AL MVP to DH duties and placing Marwin Gonzalez at second base. Tuesday, the manager exacted his plan. Hinch informed Altuve of his decision at Fenway Park after Sunday night’s 7-5, Game 2 loss to the Red Sox. BRIAN T. SMITH: Classic Keuchel could have Astros up 2-1 in ALCS “It’s bugging him,” Hinch said Tuesday. “He’s doing everything he can to play and he’s trying not to make a big deal out of it. I know moving him to the DH spot brings the first couple questions about it. But he’ll do anything we ask, which is commendable.” It is the first time in Altuve’s 30-game postseason career he’s started anywhere but second base. Asked if Altuve could return to second base in Game 4 or 5, Hinch said “maybe, but not necessarily.” Altuve spent almost all of August on the disabled list with what the club termed “right knee soreness.” It was the first trip to the disabled list of Altuve’s eight-year major league career. Hinch’s Tuesday tweaking was understandable. Groundball specialist Dallas Keuchel started for the Astros and having the healthiest defense behind him is of top priority. Tony Kemp started in place of Gonzalez in left field. He would have started the game regardless of Altuve’s condition, Hinch acknowledged. JEROME SOLOMON: Roberto Osuna ready to do his part for Astros “His knee is bothering him,” Hinch said of Altuve. “I want to give Dallas and the rest of our team ... putting Marwin at second is not a disadvantage, this was going to be the lineup regardless of the positioning.”