Bregman homers in return after blow to chin

ARLINGTON – All-Star infielder Alex Bregman returned to the Astros’ starting lineup for Saturday's 7-6 win in 11 innings over the Rangers at Globe Life Park after being cleared by a doctor to resume regular activities.

Bregman went on to resume what he did for much of the first half of the season, which is hit home runs. Bregman took Rangers starter Mike Minor deep in the fifth inning for his 24th homer of the season.

Bregman, who started at shortstop, received four stitches after a hard grounder struck him on the chin Thursday. He sat out Friday’s game as he cleared concussion protocol.

“They saw a ball hit me in the head and they wanted to make sure I wasn’t [concussed], and I wasn’t,” Bregman said. “I think I did better on the concussion test stuff than I originally did before.”

Bregman recalled the play, saying he was trying to keep the ball in front of him after it took a bad hop. The grounder off the bat Shin-Soo Choo, which had an exit velocity of 98.5 mph, skipped off the mound and took another bounce before striking Bregman

“Instead of using my chest, I used my chin,” he said. “Cut it open and got a few stitches in there. Yeah, that’s pretty much it. I want to play. I was [mad] I wasn't able to be there yesterday to help the team. We were being precautious.”

Correa, Diaz to begin rehab assignments

Astros manager AJ Hinch said on Saturday that infielders Carlos Correa (broken rib) and Aledmys Diaz (left hamstring strain) will begin Minor League rehab assignments on Monday with Triple-A Round Rock. Both have been out since May 26.

Diaz ran the bases on the field at Globe Life Park prior to Saturday’s game and will travel to Round Rock on Sunday and be in the lineup on Monday. Hinch said Diaz will see time at all four infield spots as well as left field while he’s on rehab.

“He may not stick in Triple-A the entire time depending on the schedule,” Hinch said. “There’s some off-days we need to navigate, but we’re excited to get him on the field and get him back into game play starting on Monday.”

Correa, who has been working out at the team’s facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., was placed on the 60-day disabled list on Thursday, which means he can’t return to the Astros until July 26 at the earliest.

“He’s more likely, given the schedule, to stick in Triple-A longer on rehab, and we’re excited to get him into games as well,” Hinch said. “He’s got a little longer rehab projection based on the injury and how long he did virtually nothing in terms of baseball.”