Barnes returns to lineup, but hit streak ends at five

SEATTLE -- Astros fans won't have to worry about Brandon Barnes any longer, as the center fielder hit leadoff in Monday's series opener against the Mariners. Barnes missed Sunday's game against the Royals after leaving Saturday night's game with tightness in his left hamstring.

"I think he's fine. I mean, he actually came to me mid-game yesterday, and I told him to go see if it would loosen up," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "He came back and said, 'Bo, if I have to go in the game, I'll be fine.' So it's actually probably good we didn't play him yesterday, and hopefully it's behind him and we'll be able to move forward and not have any setbacks."

Barnes is hitting .282, ranking among the best rookies in baseball with at least 100 plate appearances, and is seen as important part of the Astros' future. He went 0-for-4 in his return to the lineup, snapping a five-game hitting streak in which he went 7-for-19 (.368).

"It's always nice to not have to worry about something that's nagging or a little injury here and there," Barnes said. "Just keep doing what I'm doing and not having to worry about injuries is good."