Astros think Springer (elbow) will avoid DL
Houston Astros outfielder George Springer wasn't in the starting lineup against the Texas Rangers on Saturday, but manager A.J. Hinch is optimistic the 28-year-old will avoid the disabled list after exiting Friday's contest with a left elbow contusion suffered when he was hit by a pitch.
"He's pretty sore," Hinch told reporters, "but he's doing fine. He's day-to-day like we said, so he's not in there today. He'll start to move around a little bit. His range of motion is fine, but he's sore."
Springer knelt on the ground in pain after he was plunked in the left elbow on a pitch from Rangers starter Cole Hamels in the bottom of the third inning on Friday. Hinch and a trainer came out to check on Springer, who stayed in the game before exiting at the end of the inning.
"It doesn't feel too good," Springer said Friday. "It didn't feel too good at the time. We'll have to see what happens and go from there. Hopefully, I can get back in there."
X-rays on Springer's arm came back negative.
Springer is hitting .296 with team leads of eight home runs and 26 RBIs this season.
With Springer out of the lineup Saturday, Derek Fisher got the start in center field, with Marwin Gonzalez patrolling left in Fisher's stead.
--Field Level Media
