HOUSTON -- Astros center fielder Jake Marisnick joined his teammates at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, two days after undergoing surgery to repair a broken right thumb. The injury, which occurred while he was sliding into second base in the third inning Wednesday, is expected to sideline Marisnick deep into the postseason.
"It went good," Marisnick said of the surgery. "It was a pretty simple deal and I've been feeling good ever since. It's just kind of a waiting game now."
Marisnick, 26, had the best year of his career, hitting .243 with career highs in home runs (16), on-base percentage (.319) and slugging percentage (.496). There's a slight chance he could return in late October if the Astros make the World Series.

"It hurts a little bit to come this far," he said. "You spend this much time with the team on the field and in the clubhouse, and then miss out on some of the fun stuff here down the stretch. I'll be in the dugout rooting and cheering as much as I can and try to get out there as soon as possible."
McCullers won't start Tuesday
Astros right-hander Lance McCullers, who's been dealing with arm fatigue, will throw another bullpen session in a couple of days, manager A.J. Hinch said Sunday, and won't start on Tuesday as had been hoped. Collin McHugh will instead start the series opener against the White Sox.
"We want him to look right and feel right and be strong," Hinch said. "At this juncture of the season, we don't have a lot of time for mistakes. We want to make sure he gets off the mound with some energy, with some effort and looks the part to be able to compete at this level. He's feeling OK, but OK right now is not good enough to pitch in a game."

McCullers, while playing catch in the outfield prior to Tuesday's game, reported some arm soreness to team trainers and was promptly scratched from his scheduled Wednesday start. He has been on the disabled list twice this year with back discomfort -- June 9-24 and July 31-Sept. 6. When he returned on Sept. 6, McCullers held the Mariners to three runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings, but he hasn't started since.