Springer homers twice in first rehab game

NEW YORK -- George Springer looks like he could swing his way back into the Astros' lineup sooner rather than later.

Houston's star outfielder homered twice in the first game of his rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Thursday night -- in the first four innings of the game. Batting leadoff for the Hooks, Springer crushed a solo homer to left-center field in the third inning, then belted a three-run shot to left an inning later.

Springer hasn't played a big league game since May 24, when he went down with a left hamstring strain. But he could return to the Astros as soon as their coming homestand, which starts Tuesday against the Pirates following the team's current series against the Yankees.

That would give back Houston another of its biggest bats, after Jose Altuve returned to the lineup on Wednesday. A third Astros star, shortstop Carlos Correa, will likely be out until after the All-Star break.

Springer was tearing it up before his injury. The 29-year-old is hitting .308/.389/.643 -- a 1.032 OPS -- with 17 home runs and 43 RBIs in 48 games this season.

Springer is scheduled to play at least two more rehab games with Corpus Christi on Saturday and Sunday, at which point he and Astros manager AJ Hinch will determine his course of action.