Astros: George Springer, Jose Altuve, and Aledmys Diaz injury updates

The Astros will be short-handed in the series opener with the White Sox. George Springer and Jose Altuve are out of the lineup, and Aledmys Diaz might be available to sub.

Players like Jake Marisnick, Tony Kemp and Tyler White will be key players in tonight’s Astros game and possibly longer. With Springer and Altuve out, and Diaz iffy, their importance in the lineup is all that more important.

Altuve has been on the 10-day injured list since May 11 with a strained left hamstring. That means he would officially be available to play in tomorrow’s game against the White Sox. But don’t count on it.

He did some running on the field for the first time Saturday and was optimistic about the lack of pain. A. J. Hinch is going to be careful with his recovery process and said he’ll be involved in baseball activities soon. A short visit to the Minors for rehab later this week is very likely.

"“He’s very happy with where he’s progressing to, and so are we,” Hinch said. “We’ll know more once he gets back to baseball.” via Brian McTaggart of MLB.com"

Aledmys Diaz is also nursing a hamstring injury he suffered in Friday’s game against the Red Sox. His is believed to be a mild strain and should avoid the injury list. He’s doing some batting practice and field drills today and Hinch indicated he might be ready for tomorrow and possibly even be ready to come in later in the game if needed..

Then there is the lower back injury to George Springer, adding to the growing list of players out with injuries. Springer has been feeling the stiffness for a few days and was playing through it. But unfortunately, he could never get quite loose enough yesterday, striking out in all three at-bats and in obvious pain.

Hinch pulled Springer from the game and according to McTaggart, he lamented not removing him sooner.

"“He never really got loose today and it got progressively worse and his swings got a little more timid as the day went on,” Hinch said. “I probably should have taken him out a little earlier, too. We’ll get him evaluated when we get home.”"

Springer said he got good news with a negative MRI, he’s currently considered day-to-day. One thing is for sure, you don’t want to rush any of these back. Just ask Carlos Correa, who says he returned too soon last season with his back issues and his numbers suffered from it. Of course, there’s also the talk of Yordan Alvarez coming to the Astros aid.