MINNEAPOLIS -- Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel traveled to back to Houston and was scheduled to work out at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday afternoon. Gurriel, who's on the 10-day disabled list, is expected to be activated and be in the lineup for the first time this season on Friday against the Rangers.
"It looks like things are pointing in that direction based on the swings that he's taken," Astros manager AJ Hinch said. "The feedback from [Double-A Corpus Christi manager] Omar [Lopez] and Yuli himself has all been positive."
Gurriel underwent Feb. 28 hand surgery to remove the hook of the hamate bone in his left hand. He was suspended for the first five games of the season for making an offensive gesture during the World Series and then was placed on the disabled list.
Gurriel hit 9-for-21 (.429) with four doubles and three RBIs during his rehab assignment at Corpus Christi. Gurriel hit .299 with 18 homers and 75 RBIs last year in his first full season in the Major Leagues. The Hooks are off Wednesday, and the Astros are off Thursday, which is why Gurriel was sent to Houston to work out.
"We've missed his presence because he's a fun part of our culture," Hinch said. "We've missed his at-bats obviously. He's always a pretty good at-bat, high-contact guy, and someone who's hit anywhere from fifth to ninth and helps us build an extremely long lineup. He's a good hitter, and [if] you take a good hitter out of the lineup, you feel it."