With Gurriel returning, Davis sent down
The Astros optioned J.D. Davis to Class AAA Fresno on Thursday, according to Major League Baseball’s official transaction wire, clearing a spot for the impending activation of first baseman Yuli Gurriel.
Though the team has made no official roster move announcement for either player, manager A.J. Hinch intimated Wednesday that Gurriel’s activation was imminent.
The 24-year-old Davis was one of the last additions to the Astros’ opening-day roster out of spring training, taking the spot Gurriel vacated. He began his season 1-for-15 with six strikeouts while seeing sporadic playing time.
This week against the Twins, Davis started all three games at first base, going 5-for-10, including an RBI single to left field that drove in the Astros’ first run of Monday’s 2-0 win. Davis reached base four times in Wednesday’s game.
Davis had just 71 AAA plate appearances before making the opening-day roster.
“When you hit .400 all spring training to earn a spot and you come in here and you can’t hit a baseball, it’s pretty difficult,” said Davis, who slashed .385/ .406/.662 in 65 Grapefruit League at-bats, on Monday. “It’s mental, and it’s going through some growing pains. I’m just glad that in a tight situation, I came through for the team and got on the board.”
Gurriel spent Wednesday — an off day for Class AA Corpus Christi, where he’d been on a rehab assignment —working out at Minute Maid Park while the club concluded its three-game series against the Twins.
After having surgery in late February to remove the hook in the hamate bone in his left hand, Gurriel began the season on the restricted list to serve a five-game suspension he incurred
during the World Series.
The club appeared ready to activate him after those five games but opted to err on the side of caution, placing him on the 10-day disabled list so he could play in minor league games. Gurriel finished his fivegame
rehab assignment 9-for-21 with four doubles and three RBIs.
He is expected to return to the lineup Friday when the Astros and Rangers open a threegame series at Minute Maid Park.