Diaz likely next for injured list
Aledmys Diaz is likely headed to the injured list after aggravating his left hamstring injury in Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Red Sox, manager A.J. Hinch said.
Diaz missed three games last week with what he characterized as a grade one strain of his left hamstring suffered during the 3-1 win over the Red Sox on May 17. He returned to the starting lineup Tuesday and has started each game since.
“It’s the same (pain), maybe a little more,” Diaz said Sunday. “I tried to push a little bit more on that play. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow.”
Diaz underwent an MRI after the game but said the results were unavailable. The utilityman was seeing increased playing time while Jose Altuve continues his recovery from a left hamstring strain. If and when Diaz hits the injured list, he will be the third Astro there with a hamstring problem.
In the first inning of Sunday’s game, Diaz scored from second base on an aggressive, two-out send from third base coach Gary Pettis. Carlos Correa hit a grounder toward Eduardo Nunez, who knocked it down in short left field and threw home.
The throw arrived ahead of Diaz, who did not slide and originally missed the plate. Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez dropped the throw, allowing Diaz to go back and touch the base. Diaz did so slowly, grabbing the back of his left leg.
“I saw the catcher in front of home plate so I tried to move to my left and try to slide,” Diaz said. “I felt it there.”
The Astros will encounter an interesting choice when replacing Diaz on the 25-man roster, should he officially hit the IL. If all goes well with Altuve’s rehab assignment in Class AAA Round Rock, he should return to the team by Wednesday, meaning Diaz’s replacement would be a two-day substitute.
The Astros have little minor league infield depth on the 40-man roster. Jack Mayfield and Nick Tanielu — two well-performing middle infielders in Class AAA — would be logical options, but neither is on the 40-man roster.
The Astros do have one spot open on their 40-man roster.
Another choice could be outfielder Myles Straw, who has started 24 Class AAA games at shortstop after a decision this offseason to experiment there.
First baseman AJ Reed is an option, too, if the Astros feel comfortable with Tony Kemp handling second base.