All systems turn into no-go for unproductive Gomez
MINNEAPOLIS — A day after Carlos Gomez’s defensive misadventures cost the Astros two runs in a two-run loss, manager A.J. Hinch offered no clarity regarding how much the struggling center fielder will play moving forward.
Gomez is batting .210 with an unsightly .594 onbase plus slugging percentage, the second-worst average and the worst OPS among outfielders to garner at least 300 plate appearances in the major leagues this season.
“Like anything, I think it’s important to be dayto-day and try to figure out what the best option is tonight, and that’s really how I’m going to operate,” Hinch said before Tuesday night’s 7-5 win over the Minnesota Twins, in which Jake Marisnick started in center field and Tony Kemp played left.
“Obviously, you try to put the best team out there that you can. I don’t think it’s fair to sort of pin everything on (Gomez) and have that be a growing question every single day. We can win with him in the lineup. We can win without him in the lineup. Playing time’s always a sensitive issue, but I’m trying to put out the best team we can to win tonight’s game.”
Gomez got in the game as an eighth-inning pinch runner and stole a base, but that was offset by his getting doubled off second on a line drive by Tyler White.
Gomez’s lack of production and role on the team will remain topics of conversation until the Astros provide some sort of resolution to the situation.
Their options are few. They could designate the former two-time All-Star for assignment, publicly admitting defeat on a July 2015 trade. They could have him ride the bench and risk the distraction that could become of it. Or they could continue to write into their lineup one of the least productive players in the majors this season.
Gomez is batting .172 since the calendar turned to July. On the season, he has struck out 100 times and worked just 21 walks. Only Khris Davis and Matt Kemp have struck out as many times while walking as few. They have 27 and 24 home runs, respectively. Gomez has five.
“He’s frustrated with his overall performance,” Hinch said. “This is a guy that comes to play every single day. He’s got passion. He’s got a lot of energy. He’s working hard to try to figure out a way to contribute positively.
“This isn’t a badmakeup guy. This isn’t a guy who doesn’t put in the work. It’s just a guy who’s struggled to find the consistency that he needs.”
Valbuena resumes baseball activities
Two weeks removed from straining his right hamstring while running out a ground ball, Astros third baseman Luis Valbuena has resumed baseball activities.
Valbuena ran outside on the grass at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday for the first time since sustaining the injury. He has also resumed hitting in the batting cage.
“He had a good day,” manager A.J. Hinch said before Tuesday night’s game at Target Field. “I don’t know where that takes us until we see how he feels (Wednesday), but that’s a positive sign.”
Although eligible to return from the disabled list on Thursday, Valbuena likely will see his stint on the DL extend beyond the minimum 15 days. He may require a minor league rehab assignment.
Odds and ends
Reliever Luke Gregerson (oblique strain) threw only off flat ground Monday but is hopeful to progress to a session off the mound on Wednesday, according to manager A.J. Hinch. “A pretty aggressive (bullpen session) in that where we can at least have a plan for the weekend as to what we’re going to do,” Hinch said. “So that’s encouraging.” Gregerson is eligible to return from the DL on Friday. …
Outfielder Colby Rasmus is scheduled to see a specialist about the cholesteatoma in his right ear on Wednesday in Houston. …
Brett Oberholtzer is back in the AL West. The Angels on Tuesday claimed the former Astros lefty off waivers from the Phillies. Oberholtzer was part of December’s Ken Giles trade. …
The Astros and their Class A Quad Cities affiliate (Midwest League) extended their player development contract through the 2018 season. Their partnership dates to 2013.