Friday could see return of 2 stars

A game a day before a day off against the worst team in baseball offered the Astros little incentive to risk injury with two of their core players.

But outfielder George Springer and infielder Alex Bregman could be back in the lineup for Friday night’s series opener in Detroit. It would be considered a surprise if Springer in particular wasn’t back in his customary leadoff spot come Friday.

Springer, who injured his quad Monday, and Bregman, who injured his hamstring Tuesday, are each considered day-today.

“I feel pretty good,” Springer said. “We’ll see what happens.”

Bregman said Wednesday that he felt better a day after his hamstring tightened up while he rounded second base on a triple. He described his removal from Tuesday’s game as precautionary. The team will reassess his availability Friday afternoon at Comerica Park.

Bregman’s injury cost him the chance to face former LSU teammate and roommate Aaron Nola, who started for the Phillies on Wednesday. Bregman said he was “super bummed” to miss the matchup and joked he wanted to take his friend deep, like he said he did in his first at-bat against him in fall intersquads.