HOUSTON -- July 2 is important to the Astros.
It is the club's only off-day until the All-Star break from July 16-19. And with plenty of Astros players and members of their American League pennant-winning coaching staff sure to participate heavily in All-Star festivities, there may not be much time to rest then, either.
Because of "a little bit of back stiffness" and their jammed upcoming schedule, Astros manager AJ Hinch gave Carlos Correa a day off Tuesday against the Blue Jays. Hinch didn't completely dismiss the idea of playing Correa off the bench, but he said he prefers to give the shortstop the day off entirely.
"He's doing fine," Hinch said. "He's been battling a little bit of back stiffness. We're playing 23 out of 24 days. We're in the midst of the grind of the season right before the All-Star break. Now, I'm always looking for a day off. We've talked about rest for the better part of the last couple of weeks.
"All of that added up, it made it for an easier plan not to play [Correa]."

Hinch said he expects to give Correa, George Springer and Jose Altuve each a day off prior to the All-Star break.
As Hinch noted, the Astros are in a stretch of 23 games in 24 days, which began after an off-day last Thursday.
Deetz reinstated from suspension
The Astros announced they have reinstated right-hander Dean Deetz from the restricted list and optioned him to Triple-A Fresno. Deetz, who is on the 40-man roster, was active for Fresno on Tuesday and took the roster spot of left-hander Chris Nunn, who was released.
Major League Baseball's Commissioner's Office gave Deetz an 80-game suspension without pay in January for a violation of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Deetz tested positive for dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, a performance-enhancing substance.