Astros bring back Gonzalez to add infield depth

OAKLAND -- With starting second baseman Jose Altuve still nursing a sore left quad, the Astros called up infielder Marwin Gonzalez from Triple-A Oklahoma City following Tuesday's game, and he joined the team on Wednesday.

Gonzalez began the year with the Astros and hit .230 with four homers and 14 RBIs before being optioned to Oklahoma City, where he hit .262 with 10 doubles and 15 RBIs in 44 games. He's a strong defensive player who can play shortstop, second base and third base.

"The thought process behind bringing him back at this juncture had more to do with Altuve's situation and being able to monitor his quad," Astros manager Bo Porter said.

Porter said he would like to give Altuve a day off soon alongside a day where he puts him at designated hitter. Gonzalez would then be slotted into the lineup, likely at shortstop, while Jake Elmore plays second base.

Porter joked he's quit asking Altuve if he's able to play.

"Same answer every time," he said. "'I'm 100 percent and ready to go.' Mentally, in his mind, he still thinks he's 100 percent and he's taken some chances that at 100 percent he would have made, but the fact that he doesn't have that last burst in his legs has kind of cost us a couple of times."

Gonzalez said he worked on being a more patient hitter while he was the Minor Leagues the last two months.

Right-hander Jorge De Leon was sent to Oklahoma City to make room for Gonzalez on the 25-man roster.