Alright folks, let’s get straight into this Altuve mess. Like everyone else, I saw him grab his side and hobble off that field. Gut punch. Wanted to know exactly how bad it was and when we might see that sparkplug back.
Step 1: Just Reading the Basic News Ain’t Cutting It
Started simple, right? Hopped online looking for any official team statements. Found the initial reports – “oblique strain”. Okay, oblique… side muscle area. Sounds painful, but how long? Those initial estimates were all over the place – “week-to-week” meaning basically nothing. Team was being annoyingly vague, just saying “he’s recovering”, yeah thanks for that.
Needed more meat.
Step 2: Digging Into the Details Like a Dog on a Bone
Figured I gotta go beyond the press releases. Went hunting:
- Scouring Beat Reporters: Who are the guys following the team every single day? Found a couple of reliable ones known for actually getting scoops. Started reading every tweet, every blog update, every quote they got from Dusty or the trainers. Dusty dropped that bit about it being worse than first thought – that was key.
- Listening Closer to the Interviews: Paying attention not just to what the players say, but how they say it. Hearing teammates talk about him walking around, doing light work – not swinging yet, but at least moving. Positive signs, small ones.
- Comparing It to Other Oblique Guys: Remembered that other player last season with a similar deal. How long did he take? Started checking his timeline. Realized these things drag on. Longer than you ever hope. Got worried it might end up like that.
Step 3: Piecing Together the Clues Like a Cheap Puzzle
Putting it all together? Here’s where we are right now:
- No Swinging Yet: Most reports agree he hasn’t picked up a bat to take real swings. That’s the big barrier. Can’t play until he does that pain-free.
- Doing Stuff: He’s not just lying in bed. Seeing mentions of light jogging, some fielding drills (probably just catching, not throwing hard yet). Basically keeping somewhat active without stressing the injury zone.
- It’s Definitely Taking Longer: That initial optimism? Gone. Dusty’s comment confirmed it. This isn’t the usual ‘miss a week’ kind of tweak. It’s significant. This recovery road feels long and slow.
Step 4: Trying Not to Get Too Frustrated (It’s Hard)
Honestly? It’s annoying as hell. You see the guy on the field working, looking alright moving around, but he’s still not playing. Feels like it should happen sooner. But then you remember – it’s that core muscle. Every twist, every swing, every throw relies on it. Rush him back, he rips it again, and we’re back to square one, probably worse.
What a damn mess. The lineup ain’t the same without him. Every update is just… vague reassurances. “Progressing well.” What does that mean?
My Conclusion After All This Digging
Bottom line, based on everything I’ve scraped together?
He’s getting better, but it’s slow. Real slow. We’re past the point of hoping for a quick miracle return. He’s moving in the right direction – doing light baseball activities, staying active. But the most important thing, swinging that bat hard without wincing? Doesn’t sound like that’s happening yet.
Don’t hold your breath for next week. Or probably the week after. Looks like we just gotta keep waiting this out, hoping each little step forward sticks. Sucks, but that seems to be the reality right now. Hope I’m wrong!
