Astros plan for Altuve to play outfield in majority of games

Jose Altuve is moving to the outfield.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday the club plans to mostly utilize their nine-time All-Star second baseman in the outfield this season.

"Right now, the plan is for him to play the majority of his games in left field, and the days that he plays second base opens the door for Yordan (Alvarez) maybe getting a start in left field, someone getting a DH day. So, this move allows us to be creative and do stuff like that," Espada said, according to the Houston Chronicle's Matt Kawahara.

Altuve has never played an inning as an outfielder during his major-league or minor-league career, but he is getting reps in left field during spring training.

The 34-year-old has logged more than 15,000 innings at second base throughout his 14-year career and won a Gold Glove in 2015. He's expected to join Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers in Houston's starting outfield.

The Astros have other players capable of playing the keystone on a regular basis, including Mauricio Dubón and offseason acquisitions Isaac Paredes and Brendan Rodgers.