Astros’ Altuve leaves WBC game after hit on hand by a pitch

By RONALD BLUM
AP Baseball Writer

MIAMI (AP) — Houston Astros star Jose Altuve exited Venezuela’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinal against the United States after he was hit on the right hand by a pitch from Daniel Bard in the fifth inning. The Astros said they would provide an update on his injury Sunday. The second baseman, an eight-time All-Star and the 2017 American League MVP, fell to the field after he was struck by the 95.9 mph sinker. He grimaced as he walked off with an athletic trainer, and Altuve was replaced by Luis Rengifo. Bard relieved Lance Lynn to start the inning and was wild throughout, walking two batters and throwing a pair of wild pitches. Bard, a 37-year-old Colorado right-hander, allowed all four batters who faced him to reached base.