LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The 2018 Opening Day roster for the Astros looked fairly certain at the beginning of Spring Training.
But now that first baseman Yuli Gurriel will be out until mid-April due to hand surgery, Houston has a battle for playing time at first base and an extra slot on the bench while Gurriel recovers. Manager A.J. Hinch has numerous candidates auditioning, most of them capable of fielding multiple positions. Five such players started Thursday in the Astros' 6-4 win over the Braves at Champion Stadium, representing the bottom of the order.
Batting highest among them was J.