Gurriel expected to return to lineup today
PITTSBURGH — Yulieski Gurriel was out of the Astros’ lineup Monday, a day after he prematurely exited his major league debut because of hamstring tightness but is expected to be fine to play Tuesday.
If he progresses as the Astros anticipate, Gurriel will likely play third base or left field in Tuesday’s game against the Pirates, according to manager A.J. Hinch. The 32-yearold Cuban did pinch-hit for pitcher Doug Fister in Monday’s 3-1 victory over Pittsburgh, grounding out to short in the eighth inning.
“He’s fine,” Hinch said. “He came out (Sunday) against his will. He was out early (Monday) for early work. We hit him some balls in left field. He’s bouncing around, moving around fine.”
Gurriel served as designated hitter in his debut Sunday in Baltimore, but that option isn’t available to the Astros while playing in a National League park. Creativity by Hinch will be required Tuesday to get the bats of Alex Bregman and Gurriel in the lineup.
Gurriel, who was not available to speak with the media before Monday’s game, lacks experience in left field save for Monday’s early work and eight innings of a Class AAA game Thursday in which no balls were hit his way. The Astros, who tested the natural infielder in the outfield before they signed him last month, are confident he will be able to handle the position.
“He’s going to be more than adequate,” Hinch said. “He’s going to have enough speed. He’s going to have enough arm. He’s going to have the instincts to react to the ball. He just doesn’t have the experience that most outfielders have.”
Surgery possible for Valbuena
Luis Valbuena is scheduled to visit a doctor Wednesday in Houston to determine the next step following his setback in rehab from a right hamstring strain.
Surgery has not been ruled out for the corner infielder, a free agent-tobe who is unlikely to return before season’s end.
“There’s a possibility that there will be some surgical solution to his problem, which will definitely take him out from coming back this year,” Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Monday. “But we’ll wait until the doctors assess what’s going on.”
Valbuena, 30, who has not played since suffering the injury July 27, had the setback running Friday while with the team in Baltimore. The Astros had hoped he would return in September, if not late this month.
Tucker nearing rehab assignment
Preston Tucker is nearing the start of a rehab assignment with an Astros minor league affiliate and could rejoin the team around the first of September, general manager Jeff Luhnow said Monday.
Tucker, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 12 with a strained right shoulder, will likely play his rehab stint with Class AA Corpus Christi. The Astros will not need to make a corresponding roster move for the outfielder/ designated hitter if he returns once rosters have expanded Sept. 1.
Odds and ends
The Astros had no update on righthander Lance McCullers (right elbow sprain), who is back in Houston. It does not sound as if they will have one until the next homestand, which begins Friday. … Mid-September remains the Astros’ working timeline for Colby Rasmus’ return to the field. The veteran outfielder, who underwent surgery Aug. 10 to remove a cyst from his right ear, has progressed to physical activities but not baseball activities, according to general manager Jeff Luhnow .…
A.J. Reed (0-for-2 with a walk and run) batted fifth Monday, the highest he’s hit in the lineup this season. … Monday’s Astros-Pirates series opener at PNC Park marked the first meeting between the former division foes since May 17-19, 2013. …
Astros third-base prospect J.D. Davis was named the Texas League player of the week after going 10-for-23 with a home run, a triple and a double over six games. … Righthander Forrest Whitley, the Astros’ firstround draft pick in June, is scheduled to make two more outings with their rookie-level Greeneville affiliate before the end of his first professional season. Whitley allowed one earned run in 52⁄3 innings spanning his first two starts for Greeneville.