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

MIAMI — Jose Altuve exited Venezuela’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinal in opposition to the United States after he was hit on his proper hand by a pitch from Daniel Bard on Saturday evening.

The Houston Astros second baseman, an eight-time All-Star and the 2017 American League MVP, fell to the sector after he was struck by the 95.9 mph sinker within the fifth inning. He grimaced as he walked off with an athletic coach, and Altuve was changed by Luis Rengifo.

“The Astros will provide an update tomorrow after further evaluation,” the membership mentioned in an announcement.

Bard relieved Lance Lynn to begin the inning and was wild all through, strolling two batters and throwing a pair of untamed pitches. Bard, a 37-year-old Colorado right-hander, allowed all 4 batters who confronted him to reached base as Venezuela overcame a three-run deficit to take a 6-5 lead.