For the first time in nearly two years, Jose Altuve did not bat in the leadoff spot when the Houston Astros played the Detroit Tigers on Monday.
The 15-year veteran requested the change, according to Astros manager Joe Espada. And he did so because of his move to left field this season.
"I just told Joe that maybe he can hit me second some games at some point and he did it today,” Altuve explained, via the Associated Press. “I just need like that little extra time to come from left field, and he decided to put Jeremy [Peña] there.