Diaz likely headed to IL with hamstring injury

Infielder undergoes MRI after aggravating left leg on run-scoring play

May 26th, 2019

HOUSTON -- Another day, another injury for the Astros.

This time, it’s infielder , who is likely headed to the 10-day injured list after aggravating his left hamstring in the first inning of Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Red Sox at Minute Maid Park.

Diaz was removed from the game after stepping awkwardly reaching toward home plate in the first inning. It’s the same injury he sustained beating out an infield hit on May 17 in Boston.

The Astros placed backup catcher on the IL on Sunday with a sore left knee he hurt during Saturday’s win over Boston.

“I’m most frustrated about losing another player,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said. “I don’t like the back-to-back days where you lose a player, so I’m irritated.”

Diaz, who has been starting at second base in place of , missed three games because of the hamstring injury before returning on Tuesday against the White Sox. The Astros will need an extra infielder for Monday’s game against the Cubs with hopes Altuve could be activated from the IL for Tuesday’s game at Minute Maid Park.

Diaz singled to start Sunday’s game and scored from second on an infield hit by . He appeared to reach for his left hamstring after crossing the plate. moved to second base to start the second inning, with entering the game at first base.

“I tried to score on that ground ball to left field and I just felt something in the back of my leg, so we get an MRI and hopefully we have a result ready today and see how I feel tomorrow,” Diaz said. “It may be a [little worse than previous]. I think I tried to push it a little bit more on that play.”

Altuve has been out since straining his left hamstring on May 10, but he was scheduled to begin a Minor League rehab assignment on Sunday at Triple-A Round Rock. Outfielder sustained a Grade 2 strain of his left hamstring in Friday’s game and could be out for several weeks.