OAKLAND -- After writing in the name George Springer into the leadoff spot in the lineup in 46 of the Astros’ first 47 games, Astros manager AJ Hinch is experimenting with the top position in the batting order while Springer is on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring.

Outfielder Myles Straw, who scored from first base in Friday’s 3-2 win in Oakland in his first Major League action of the 2019 season, was at leadoff Saturday against the A’s. Since Springer sustained a lower back strain May 19 at Boston, the Astros have used four players in the leadoff spot: Josh Reddick, Aledmys Diaz, Derek Fisher and now Straw (Springer came back and played May 24 before he strained his hamstring).

Hinch said prior to the series he was going to bat Alex Bregman in the leadoff spot Saturday, but changed his mind and went with the speedy Straw.

“He’s obviously the fastest guy on the field tonight,” Hinch said. “I still want as much action in front of Bregman as possible. The lineup construction will change, probably every day, but some consistency in the middle of the order is what I’m after. Myles has led off a ton his whole life. Hopefully he can get on base and create a little havoc.”

Straw hit leadoff in 23 of his 46 games at Triple-A Round Rock. He hit .304 (31-for-102) with five doubles, a triple and a homer in the leadoff spot. He hit leadoff in 19 of his first 20 games, then moved to splitting time between the two- and three-hole on April 28. His last game hitting leadoff was May 21.

“I’m hoping to be a spark plug,” Straw said. “Fisher did it last night with the home run. I can’t say I’m going to promise you guys a home run, but get on base and let the guys do it behind me -- [Michael] Brantley, Bregman -- the guys that have been up here.”

Straw, who could get his first taste of shortstop in the big leagues on Monday in Seattle, is the fastest player in the Astros organization. He said he hasn’t bunted as much as he could have and has been told to bunt more, but don’t expect it to happen against the A’s, who feature a Gold Glove third baseman (Matt Chapman) and first baseman (Matt Olson).

“Everybody thinks the fast guy needs to bunt,” Hinch said. “It kind of depends on when, where, what the situation is. I’m not into the quota he needs to bunt a certain amount. He’s going to have to hit to stay in the big leagues as an everyday player or regular player. It also doesn’t do you a ton of good to bunt against Chapman. … Olson is a Gold Glove defender at first, so this isn’t a perfect example of a situation that’s good for him, but if it’s there for him, take it.”