Correa, Diaz play first game at Round Rock
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Infielders Aledmys Diaz and Carlos Correa began their minor league rehab assignments Monday night with Class AAA Round Rock, but both will require at least a week — if not longer — before being activated.
Correa’s return from his fractured rib is somewhat easy to forecast. Barring a setback, the shortstop is slated to return during the team’s series in St. Louis on July 26 — the first day he is eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list. Neither he nor Diaz has played a major league game since May 26.
Correa went 0 for 3 while hitting third and playing shortstop for the Express on Monday night in their 8-6 loss to Memphis . Diaz was 1 for 4 while batting second and playing second base. Correa played five innings; Diaz seven.
“We’ll evaluate them a little bit differently,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “They’re different injuries with different needs. With Correa having a built-in date already, that’s an easier target to plan for. With Diaz, we’ll have to evaluate as the games compile.”
Hinch estimated Monday that Diaz, who had two recurrences of a strained left hamstring, will require a minimum of four minor league games and a maximum of “six or seven” before he is ready.
Diaz might split some games between positions, given the various places he must be ready to man upon his return. Hinch said Diaz will see time at second base, third base, first base, shortstop and left field.
To ensure all this work is done, Diaz will transfer his rehab assignment to Class AA Corpus Christi when the Express hit the road on Friday. The Hooks are in Corpus Christi through July 22.
Catching a break with Trout out
Before he even threw a pitch, Josh James’ first night as an Astros opener became a whole lot easier than originally feared.
Angels slugger Mike Trout missed Monday’s series opener with a right calf strain. Los Angeles manager Brad Ausmus did not have an update on results of Trout’s MRI before the game.
Normally the Angels’ two-hole hitter, Trout was replaced in the order by shortstop Andrelton Simmons. Trout entered the game as the American League leader in home runs, RBIs, walks, slugging percentage and OPS.
“Obviously, it’s a completely different beginning of their order when Trout’s not there,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “I don’t really like facing him. I don’t feel comfortable when he’s up at bat. He’s a dynamic player, one of the best that a lot of us will ever see.”
The injury stopped a stupendous streak from Trout — even by his standards. The eight-time All-Star had eight home runs in his previous eight games. Three of his four hits this season against Houston have been home runs.
Perhaps more importantly, though, has been Trout’s leadership in the days since Tyler Skaggs’ death prior to the AllStar break. Trout wore No. 45 at the All-Star Game and has been among the many Angels who have spoken publicly about their lost friend.
“I’m never happy when he goes down with an injury,” Hinch said. “Baseball needs him. I think he’s been incredible the last couple weeks both on the field and as a leader and a presence at a time when his team really needs it.”
Odds and ends
The Astros’ starting pitching plans for Tuesday's game against the Angels remained unclear on Monday night. Manager A.J. Hinch wanted to weigh options after seeing what toll Monday's game took on his bullpen . ... Third-base coach Gary Pettis returned to his position on Monday after missing nearly two weeks. Pettis underwent knee surgery before the All-Star break ... Gerrit Cole caught up with his college coach, UCLA’s John Savage, prior to Monday's game. Griffin Canning, the Angels’ starter on Monday, also attended UCLA.