Astros' Altuve day-to-day with side discomfort, McCormick to IL

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve left Wednesday's game against the Oakland Athletics with right side discomfort, the team announced.

Altuve told reporters postgame he "felt a little something" but that it didn't compare to the oblique issues he dealt with last year.

"I'm not really worried," he said, according to the Houston Chronicle's Matt Kawahara. "Maybe I just wake up tomorrow, and I'm good to go ... Sometimes you have to wait until the next day and see how you feel."

The 34-year-old appeared to tweak something during a fifth-inning at-bat in which he grimaced after hitting a foul ball.

The awkward swing prompted an on-field conversation with manager Joe Espada and a team trainer. Altuve stayed in to finish his at-bat before being replaced at second base by Mauricio Dubón to start the sixth inning.

Altuve went 0-for-3 before departing the ballgame.

The nine-time All-Star is hitting .302/.357/.450 with 19 home runs and 20 stolen bases in what has been another strong season with the Astros.

While Altuve appears to have dodged a serious injury, Houston received less fortunate news regarding Chas McCormick. Espada said the outfielder has a fracture in his hand after crashing into the outfield wall Tuesday.

McCormick was placed on the injured list Thursday. The Astros called up infielder Grae Kessinger and left-hander Bryan King and optioned pitcher Nick Hernandez in corresponding moves.

Wednesday's 5-4 loss dropped the Astros' record to 77-68.