Diaz homers in first AB back from injured list
HOUSTON -- Astros infielder Aledmys Díaz hit a three-run homer in the third inning of Monday's 11-1 win over the A’s at Minute Maid Park in his first at-bat since coming off the injured list. • Box score Diaz, starting at third base and batting ninth, was hit by a
HOUSTON -- Astros infielder
Diaz, starting at third base and batting ninth, was hit by a pitch in the second inning before rocketing a homer to left field off Homer Bailey to highlight a seven-run third for Houston that gave the club an 11-0 lead.
"It's great," Diaz said. "To contribute to the team is amazing. I had the chance to have three RBIs today, [which] is great. Just win the game is the most important thing."
The return of Diaz, who has been out since May 27 with a strained left hamstring, is a big boost for the Astros considering he can play all four infield spots in addition to left field. He was hitting .286 with five homers, 22 RBIs and an .831 OPS in in 32 games with the Astros before injuring the hamstring.
Warm welcome back! 🤗#TakeItBack pic.twitter.com/Ho3c2U2MVR
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 22, 2019
“It’s been a long stint for him on the injured list and he just makes our team better,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said before the game. “He can move around the field. He was doing really well when he got hurt, and then he had multiple injuries and we could never get him quite back to 100 percent. He’ll certainly help.”
The Astros optioned right-hander
Worth noting
-- Shortstop
-- Luhnow said right-hander
-- Hard-throwing reliever
“I know I’m a little sore just from being used,” James said. “I’m working on it now and I’ll be fine.”
Brian McTaggart has covered the Astros since 2004, and for MLB.com since 2009. Follow @brianmctaggart on Twitter.