Pair back in usual roles

OAKLAND, Calif. — Yordan Alvarez returned to the Astros lineup as designated hitter while Kyle Tucker moved back into the outfield for Friday’s series opener against the A’s.

Alvarez departed Wednesday’s game against the Angels in the eighth inning and did not play the following day in the series finale. Tucker was removed from right field in the sixth inning of the Astros’ 7-6 win over Arizona on Sept. 19 after experiencing soreness in his right shoulder. He did not play defense and served as designated hitter for the entirety of the Astros’ fourgame series in Anaheim, Calif.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Friday that Alvarez was experiencing “overall body soreness” after starting three consecutive games in left field while Michael Brantley has been out with a knee injury. The team will re-evaluate Alvarez’s health for the remainder of the three-game series in Oakland after Friday’s game.

“He’s not as sore today as he was yesterday,” Baker said. “It wasn't his knees; it was just more overall body soreness when you’re used to just DHing and not playing consecutive days like that.”

As for Tucker, Baker said he “passed every test” to allow him to start in right field.

Alvarez and Tucker returning to their typical positions brought Houston’s lineup back to nearly full strength, missing only Brantley, who has been on the injured list since Sept. 12 because of knee soreness. Starting pitcher Zack Greinke was scratched from his scheduled appearance Friday and placed on the 10-day injured list because of neck soreness.

Baker had no update on Brantley’s return, saying, “He’s chomping at the bit but he’s just not ready. … He’s kind of hit a stagnant point as far as getting ready.”