WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Astros outfielder Josh Reddick recently told manager A.J. Hinch he would like to get more at-bats against left-handed pitching in the final few days of camp, which is why he was in the lineup against Nationals left-handed starter Giovany Gonzalez on Sunday.
Reddick, batting in the seventh spot, had two at-bats against Gonzalez, going 1-for-2 with an RBI in the Astros' 5-1 win.
Reddick, who's struggled against lefties his entire career, figures to make the bulk of the starts against right-handers during the regular season and even some against lefties for the Astros, who are paying him $52 million over four years as an everyday player. For his career, he's hitting .270 against right-handers and .218 against southpaws.
"We haven't really faced too many lefty starters," Reddick said. "I just asked if I could get in there whenever I can, and [Sunday] was a better chance to get some at-bats. Hopefully in the next few days, I can at least get a [lefty] reliever."
Reddick is hitting .213 (10-for-47) this spring. Prior to Sunday's game he had one RBI and was 1-for-11 against left-handers. He hit into a double play against Nationals lefty Sammy Solis on Saturday.
"It was awkward," he said. "I stood in there, and he threw me a curveball, and I buckled big time because I haven't seen much of that."
Reddick could hit second, fifth or sixth in the lineup against right-handed pitchers, and sixth, seventh or eighth against lefties. Considering how deep the lineup is, he said it doesn't matter where he hits.
"I know talking to some of these guys that we're all excited to see how it's going to work out," Reddick said of the lineup. "We realize what kind of talent we have and how this lineup can hit. For all we know, it may take the first two weeks of the season to figure out the right combination."
Brian McTaggart has covered the Astros since 2004, and for MLB.com since 2009. Follow @brianmctaggart on Twitter and listen to his podcast.