Astros’ infield depth takes hit with Diaz day to day

Aledmys Diaz is day-to-day with a shoulder injury, after leaving the Astros’ game early Wednesday.

The Houston Astros, who lack a healthy 40-man rostered infielder in the minors, were hit with another injury Saturday, as Aledmys Diaz exited with left-shoulder discomfort, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reported.

Mauricio Dubon took shortstop duties from Diaz, who became an everyday player when Jeremy Peña was placed on the injured list Wednesday. With Diaz day-to-day, the Astros’ have one healthy infielder on the bench in J.J. Matijevic who is limited to first base and left field.

Niko Goodrum and Joe Perez remain on the 7-day injured list in Triple-A and in Double-A, respectively. Although Peña is expected to return late June, the shortstop won’t swing a bat for a week, McTaggart reported.

In Triple-A Sugar Land, the Astros have four utility players who can stretch to the shortstop position, and of the four, David Hensley is having the best year. Although not ranked top-30 by major outlets, the 26-year-old is piecing together his best Minor League season to date.

Hensley entered Saturday slashing .286/.399/.443 over 243 plate appearances. The right-hander is tied for the lead in the Pacific Coast League with 37 walks, tied for fourth with 14 doubles and eighth with a .399 on-base percentage, per the Space Cowboys.

Playing all four infield positions, Hensley has been the most versatile prospect in Triple-A this season. If Diaz’s shoulder discomfort becomes injured list worthy, it would behoove the Astros to add more depth to the 40-man roster while moving Blake Taylor to the 60-day injured list to open a roster spot.

While Jake Meyers and Taylor Jones will need to be added to the 40-man this time next week, the Astros need another utility infielder on the roster. Jones and Matijevic offer almost the same defensively, and with Dillion Thomas limited to the outfield, Diaz’s day-to-day status may offer more reason to add an infielder.