HOUSTON -- Astros manager A.J. Hinch has set Sunday or Monday for a possible return to the lineup by Carlos Gomez, who has missed the last 11 games with a mild intercostal strain, but Hinch didn't rule out using Gomez as early as Friday if the right situation arose.
Gomez spent a portion of batting practice running the bases from both a standstill and taking a lead, sliding and diving back to first base, looking 100 percent as he went through all the drills.
Hinch said that Gomez would be available as a pinch-runner or a defensive replacement when the team opens its crucial three-game series against the American League West-leading Rangers on Friday.