Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve took a significant step in his recovery from a fractured thumb on May 2, as he took grounders for the first time since suffering the injury during the World Baseball Classic.Altuve, who has been on the injured list since the end of Spring Training, has been slowly progressing in his recovery. The team is cautiously optimistic about his progress, but still there is no timetable for his return to game action. Though the 32-year-old is targeting early June.FOX Sports: MLB@MLBONFOXJose Altuve is taking some grounders for the first time since fracturing his thumb in the World Baseball Classic(via @MarkBermanFox26)19826Jose Altuve is taking some grounders for the first time since fracturing his thumb in the World Baseball Classic(via @MarkBermanFox26)https://t.co/aFRDmzPulBJose Altuve's injury has been a significant setback for the Houston Astros, who have leaned on Mauricio Dubon to fill in for one of the team's most important players.Altuve has been a key part of the team's success in recent years, helping lead them to World Series championships in 2017 and 2022, and earning eight All-Star selections.Astros Vs All Y’all@que_z_ada2@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 Let’s get to work, Champ 🏼 #Ready2Reign@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 Let’s get to work, Champ 💪🏼 #Ready2Reign🏆 2X WS Champ Cock 🏆@astros_dude@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 Everyone loves this.13@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 Everyone loves this.Justin Fields’ Burner@Beardowndaddy@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 The future HOF is returning soon1@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 The future HOF is returning soon😎Altuve's absence has been felt by the Astros, who have struggled in his absence. The team is currently in second place in the American League West, trailing the rival Texas Rangers by a game-and-a-half with a 16-13 record entering Tuesday's matchup against the San Francisco Giants.The Seventh Fleet@SeventhFleetBB@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 We miss you @MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 We miss you 😢Mike Grasse☮️🇺🇦🌻🇺🇸@1848badger@brianmctaggart Great news.@brianmctaggart Great news.Lane@1BorDH@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 GOAT@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 GOATThe Houston Astros are certainly looking forward to Jose Altuve's return, as he is a proven performer and a leader both on and off the field. His presence in the lineup will provide a much-needed boost to the team's offense and help them make a push for the playoffs.⭐️@DanishAstro77@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 I got my joy back@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 I got my joy backMama Ninfa MLBPA/Astros Momma !@mama_ninfa@MarkBermanFox26 Happy to hear my heart is happy2@MarkBermanFox26 Happy to hear my heart is happyCenterline Sports@centerlinesport@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 Nice!!! Welcome back!!!@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 Nice!!! Welcome back!!!For now, Altuve will continue to work on his recovery, taking things one step at a time. The team is hopeful that he will be able to return to game action soon, but they will not rush him back before he is ready as Dubon is hitting .317 through 24 games.Adam Lundgren@FlyerAdam88@brianmctaggart Awesome. Maybe keep Dubon as the DH1@brianmctaggart Awesome. Maybe keep Dubon as the DHAstros news@Htownastrosnews@brianmctaggart so when he comes back dubon will be our 4th starter and be better than shohei@brianmctaggart so when he comes back dubon will be our 4th starter and be better than shoheiOf course, not everyone has forgiven Altuve for his suspected role in the Astros' 2017 cheating scandal. Outside of Houston, he is still seen as being a complicit member of the hijinx that the Astros engaged in to help secure the organization's first World Series championship.Ryan@ryanstl22@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 How long til he can bang a trash can again?5@MLBONFOX @MarkBermanFox26 How long til he can bang a trash can again?nick@CeeDeeLambs@TalkinBaseball_ cheater1@TalkinBaseball_ cheaterHouston Astros hope to have Jose Altuve back in JuneJose Altuve #27 of Venezuela walks towards the dugout after being hit by a pitch during the fifth inning during a 2023 World Baseball Classic quarterfinal gameJose Altuve's was hurt after getting hit in the hand by a Daniel Bard pitch during Team Venezuela's loss to Team USA in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals on March 18. He underwent surgery to fix the thumb four days later. With good progress on his recovery, Altuve might be seen in action soon for the Houston Astros.