Gattis’ injury cracks the door for others

A year ago in spring training, there was talk of a position-player logjam for the Astros involving established players such as Evan Gattis, Colby Rasmus and Chris Carter — a conundrum that never materialized.

The scene is different a year later, with several prospects scraping for a job.

With Gattis out for an estimated four to six weeks after surgery on Tuesday to repair a sports hernia, more spring playing time should be available to the likes of Matt Duffy, Jon Singleton, Tyler White and A.J. Reed — all players who already were expected to battle for the first-base job. Outfielder Preston Tucker, the fifth outfielder with pop, could benefit as well.

Singleton, making $2 million and the most experienced of the first-base contenders, is looked at as the early favorite to make the club. But performance will matter. Increased at-bats because of Gattis’ absence could help any of the candidates shine — but they still have to show their wares.

In this way, the dynamic of spring isn’t changed because of a hernia: Players have to win jobs.

Keep in mind, too, there may not be an additional job to win. Even if Gattis isn’t ready on opening day, he should be ready soon after, barring a significant setback.

The door is cracked open a bit more for the youngsters, but it’s not wide open.

“I hate to see any of our players start the year with an unfortunate injury, but like any team, we have to deal with it and see where it takes with us,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “I think Evan certainly is an important part of our team and will be.”

Gattis was trying to increase his value to the club this winter, losing weight and doing some catching drills while working out in Houston. Last season was his first with the Astros and first as a full-time D Has he made the transition from catcher.

“We were working on increasing his versatility,” Hinch said. “Really hit home when we were in Arizona trying to clinch a playoff berth (at the end of the 2015 regular season in a National League stadium), and he wasn’t out on the field. It was important to him, and it was important to us to try and increase his versatility. That goal doesn’t change. We’ve just got toget him healthy.”

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Gattis is not in the mix to be the team’s backup catcher.

“Obviously, he’s caught in the past, and having a guy on the roster that can catch has value,” Luhnow said. “But he’s our DH.”

Gattis suffered the her- nia preparing for the season but said he didn’t think there was a specific action to point to. It built up over time. He told team trainers in Houston that something was off and went for the operation shortly after.

“I’m feeling good, just sore. Optimistic on the recovery,” Gattis said Wednesday. “Walking a mile day one of post-op has to be a good sign. Will start doing very light baseball activities shortly, as long as pain permits.”

Even if Gattis returns to game action before camp ends, the slugger will need to find his timing and might not get enough plate appearances before Florida’s Grapefruit League season ends.

“Those estimates are rough estimates,” Luhnow said of Gattis’ projected recovery time. “It depends very much on a lot of factors that are beyond our control. But we can expect in six weeks that he’ll be taking at-bats. Now, there’s also the issue of preparing for the season and how many at-bats does a player need.

“We’re going to be optimistic, but we’re going to plan for various scenarios of return time.”

That includes the possibility Gattis could go to the minors on a rehab assignment to get more hacks in before joining the big league team.

Luhnow said it’s possible the Astros could look for outside help, but he was not sure yet.