Altuve said his left shoulder was still a little stiff Thursday but he feels good swinging a bat, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Altuve is being held out for the second straight game after violently colliding with outfielder Teoscar Hernandez during Tuesday's contest, though it appears to be precautionary more than anything. The 26-year-old remains hopeful he'll be able to return Friday, but manager A.J. Hinch will continue to handle him carefully.