Houston Chronicle

Hinch weighs Tucker’s role

- Chandler Rome

Though he entered Tuesday’s game after George Springer’s firstinnin­g departure, Kyle

Tucker remained out of the Astros’ starting lineup for a third straight night. The praised prospect has started twice in the last 10 days, ceding the everyday time he once received to

Tony Kemp and prompting questions of whether leaving him on the major league bench is beneficial.

“It’s always tough for a young player to ask him to come up and be on the bench,” manager A.J.

Hinch said. “I’m not sure how I’m going to do it moving forward, but my stance on all of it is we’re trying to put in as many productive players as we can. Tuck can be very productive at this level as he adjusts, but Tony Kemp is playing extremely well, and I feel he’s the best option right now.”

In 46 plate appearance­s through Monday, Tucker had six hits. He had struck out 10 times and coaxed only three walks.

Kemp entered Tuesday with a .791 OPS in 165 plate appearance­s. He’s renowned for productive at-bats and a heightened contact rate, two things needed in a shorthande­d Astros lineup.

It creates a dilemma for Tucker, the organizati­on’s No. 2 overall prospect, and the organizati­on. An option to Class AAA Fresno would ensure he receives regular at-bats and might work out of the funk.

“That’s the question. … That’s going to be something that’s always discussed when someone comes up and has a lot of potential but maybe doesn’t get the full opportunit­y,” Hinch said. “That is always an option.”

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