WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The injury to Yuli Gurriel is more serious than first anticipated. The Astros' first baseman was sent back to Houston for further examination of his left hand. It will be determined from there when or if he returns to Spring Training.
"Yesterday we thought it was his wrist," manager A.J. Hinch said Tuesday morning.
Gurriel was scratched from Monday's Grapefruit League game with soreness in his left wrist, which he felt after pregame infield workouts.
"Under further review, it's his hand," Hinch said. "So he's going back to Houston to get more checked out, and we'll have more information when he's done that."
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Gurriel successfully made the transition from third to first base last season, starting 130 games at the new position in his first full Major League season. His versatility will be put to the test again this year. Hinch has indicated that Gurriel would play some third base as well as second base and shortstop.
Hinch said he did not know exactly how the injury occurred, or the severity of it.
"We're concerned enough to send him back to Houston," Hinch said.
Gurriel will be suspended for this year's first five regular-season games for the insensitive gesture he directed toward Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish during the World Series. Gurriel hit .299 with 18 homers and 75 RBIs in 2017.
That pending absence had already given Hinch cause to seek a suitable replacement, even if temporary from either suspension or injury. The versatile Marwin Gonzalez, who played in 31 games at first base last season, is next up on the depth chart.
But Hinch indicated that he would give A.J. Reed, among others, every opportunity to make the club. The second-round pick in the 2014 Draft is a left-handed bat with power who had a strong second half to last season at Triple-A Fresno.
"I think all these guys know, with Yuli's suspension, somebody is going to make our team," Hinch had said.