Manager Bo Porter said during the initial stage of spring training he was considering using second baseman Jose Altuve as a designated hitter this season. The Astros’ first-year skipper did just that Saturday. With the slumping Astros entering Saturday hitting just .194 and having struck out an MLB-record 56 times in their initial four contests, Porter kept Altuve at the top of the Astros’ lineup but turned him into a temporary DH. Removing Altuve from second base allowed the Astros’ shortstop platoon of Ronny Cedeno and Marwin Gonzalez to be in the lineup together — Cedeno batted second and played short; Gonzalez hit eighth and filled Altuve’s normal defensive spot. [...]