Strained hamstring keeps Altuve out of lineup

HOUSTON -- Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was not in the lineup for a second straight day, still rehabbing a strained right hamstring sustained Friday.

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Manager A.J. Hinch said before Sunday's rubber match against the Mariners that he didn't expect Altuve to resume running or any activities, but he continued to be encouraged by Altuve's progress.

"I'm not sure if [the training staff] is going to tax him at all," Hinch said. "But the initial viewing this morning, it's still early, but they're happy with his progress."

Video: SEA@HOU: Altuve limps off after groundout, exits game

Altuve said the injury felt better than he thought, but he added he wouldn't return until he felt ready.

"We're going to give this the time it needs," Altuve said Saturday. "I'd rather lose today or tomorrow's game than lose 20 games."

Marwin Gonzalez again replaced Altuve in Houston's lineup, batting ninth and playing second base.

"If he continued to make progress, it's better than being stagnant or feeling the same," Hinch said. "... The training reports are that he's continuing to take steps forward and feeling better. We'll continue to hope for that and get him in there as soon as we can."

• Hinch said Brad Peacock would arrive in Houston on Monday to be reevaluated after the right-hander left a rehab assignment at Double-A Corpus Christi on Thursday feeling "less than 100 percent."

Peacock, who has been on the disabled list since April 15 with a left intercostal strain, threw two scoreless innings in the start.