Jose Altuve ascended the steps of the third-base dugout, turned left prior to the infield dirt and continued onto a swath of outfield grass, bound for a new position and perhaps the next chapter of a storied career.

Michael Shapiro is a sports reporter for Chron, covering the Astros, Rockets, Texans and every team in town. Michael is a Denver native and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and a noted fan of pull-up threes, wide-receiver passes and a good hot fudge sundae.

Altuve has not appeared in a game yet this spring, but team officials had always targeted Friday for his first taste of left field. Manager Joe Espada confirmed the plan to reporters in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday morning.