Altuve, Reddick lineup shuffle may linger
ATLANTA — The configuration of the Astros’ lineup that features Jose Altuve batting second and Josh Reddick batting third may become more frequent.
Astros manager A.J. Hinch used that configuration Tuesday and Wednesday while playing under National League rules in at Atlanta’s SunTrust Park because he wanted Altuve to protect George Springer, who in every plate appearance but his first batted behind the pitcher.
But Hinch is toying with the idea of batting Altuve second and Reddick third in certain games in AL parks, too. Probably not always — Reddick doesn’t play against all lefthanders anyway; he’ll sit Thursday against Toronto’s Francisco Liriano, for instance — but maybe in certain lineup configurations.
“I like the look of our lineup really both ways,” Hinch said before Wednesday night’s game. “I do like breaking up the right-handed hitters, whether I break up George (Springer) and Jose or Jose and Carlos (Correa),
“I’m somewhat torn on which way is better. It probably depends on matchups or how guys are swinging.”
Hinch would like to avoid batting five or six righties in a row, so on days when the Astros are right-handed heavy at the bottom of the order he would be more inclined to bat Reddick second to break up the lineup when it turns over.
Games in which the switch-hitting Marwin Gonzalez and left-handed hitting Nori Aoki bat toward the bottom of the lineup could lead to Altuve batting second and Reddick third.
Either way would work well.
“That’s the magic of this lineup,” Reddick said. “You can put anybody anywhere and they’re going to get the job done.”
Correa held out of lineup
Carlos Correa was held out of the Astros’ lineup Wednesday, a day after the All-Star shortstop jammed his left thumb into the shin guard of Braves catcher Tyler Flowers on a head first slide into home plate.
“He wanted to play,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “I took it out of his hands just as a precautionary day off. I wanted to get him a day off between now and the All-Star break anyway. This is a convenient way to do it.”
McHugh makes rehab start
Astros starter Collin McHugh was efficient enough in his second Class AA rehab start Wednesday night to complete 32⁄3 innings and build his pitch count up to 53.
McHugh, who was scheduled for roughly three innings and about 45-50 pitches, was perfect through three innings before allowing two runs in the fourth. He struck out five and didn’t issue a walk.
Tolliver sent to minors
The Astros demoted lefthanded reliever Ashur Tolliver to Class AAA to clear a spot for Joe Musgrove’s call-up before Wednesday night’s game against the Braves.
Odds and ends
Whether Francis Martes is needed to pitch in relief Thursday or Friday will dictate if he or Brad Peacock starts Sunday’s series at Toronto. If it’s Martes, Peacock could start the first game of the second half. … The Astros will have to make another roster move Friday to clear a spot for the activation of starter Charlie Morton from the 10-day disabled list. Given they are considering Martes an option to start Sunday, reliever Dayan Diaz is the likeliest candidate for a demotion. … The Astros have until Friday at 4 p.m. to sign 15th overall draft pick J.B. Bukauskas.