PITTSBURGH -- Yulieski Gurriel is expected to be in the lineup when the Astros return home on Friday to face the Tampa Bay Rays. The Cuban has made just one start -- Sunday in Baltimore -- since joining the Astros, due to right hamstring tightness suffered in Sunday's game.
Because the Astros have been playing in a National League ballpark, they haven't been able to utilize the designated hitter, which has meant Gurriel has been limited to pinch-hitting duties.
"That's the gray area you run into with players," manager A.J. Hinch said. "He can pinch-hit and get one at-bat out of him [Wednesday] and hopefully not risk the hamstring injury to worsen with the off-day [Thursday].