Altuve could be out for a while; Nimmo has hopes for opener

The Houston Astros will be without 2017 AL MVP Jose Altuve for “a while” with a broken right thumb after he was hit by a pitch playing for Venezuela during World Baseball Classic. The eight-time All-Star follows Mets All-Star closer Edwin Díaz to the injured list because of injuries during the WBC. Utilityman Mauricio Dubon, who batted .208 games last season, is expected to move into the Astros’ lineup to replace Altuve at second base.