Jose Altuve Literally Got Hit by a Pitch in His Third At-Bat of the Spring

The Houston Astros have solidified their role as the Team Chaos in Major League Baseball this offseason, as they were proven guilty of cheating throughout the 2017 season (and beyond, though no one's sure how far beyond). Given their lack of accountability and arrogance towards their detractors, many expect them to face beanballs in the 2020 regular season.

Well, we have our first victim...kind of.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve made his spring training debut on Monday against the Detroit Tigers. In his third at-bat, Altuve was hit...in the foot with a pitch that got away.

Calm down, baseball fans, it sounds like there was no intent towards Altuve. Rather, it was just an accidental plunking from an out of control breaking ball. But, of course, it's incredibly ironic this happened already.

Even so, the Astros are going to be the subject of intentional hit by pitches through their 2020 campaign. The league is bracing to hand down massive suspensions and fines to pitchers and managers for plunking the opposition, not just the Astros.

That has been the subject of debate, due to commissioner Rob Manfred's lack of punishment towards the Astros' players for their role in stealing signs via electronics in real time.

Altuve will have to get used to this feeling. It's going to be a long season for Astros hitters.