Houston’s 2025 season kept second base in flux after a spring shakeup aimed at strengthening the infield defense. Jose Altuve shifted toward left field, but injuries and roster moves forced him back to 2B late in the year. Seven players logged at least a start there, with Mauricio Dubón and Ramón Urías delivering the best defensive value, while Altuve struggled offensively at times. The mix produced better fielding metrics but left the position unsettled for 2026 as the club weighs internal options vs. potential trades.

Offensively, Altuve’s 2B line (.265/.333/.426, .759 OPS) trailed his DH numbers, while the rest of the group slugged far less. Matthews and Whitcomb showed flashes in limited time, but the absence of a clear long-term 2B solution persists. With arbitration, contracts, and developing in-house options shaping the offseason, Houston faces a practical crossroads: keep Altuve at 2B, slide him back to LF, or acquire a true everyday option while protecting Altuve for his peak years.