Astros want Yulieski Gurriel to be 'baseball ready'

That's what both Astros manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow said would be the deciding factor to know when Yulieski Gurriel will end his tour around the franchise's minor-league affiliates and join the Astros. He started a stint with Class AAA Fresno on Tuesday.

"The feeling was that he wasn't 100 percent confident that his timing was there yet," said Luhnow, who acknowledged the original plan was to have the 32-year-old Cuban infielder join the team Tuesday. "But he has to be ready and he has to be comfortable that he's ready."

Said Hinch: "I know there's an excitement about when he signed and there's always an anticipation of when his arrival is going to be, (but) sometimes your baseball timing and baseball readiness doesn't cooperate."

Gurriel's 2-for-17 stretch while at Class AA Corpus Christi last week made for a change in plans. In five games, the Astros $47.5 million man singled twice and struck out six times.

This of course, comes as Gurriel continues to shake off rust from months without facing live pitching.

Yulieski Gurriel, the recently signed Cuban infielder, went 2-for-17 against Texas League pitching, striking out six times. Yulieski Gurriel, the recently signed Cuban infielder, went 2-for-17 against Texas League pitching, striking out six times. Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Astros want Yulieski Gurriel to be 'baseball ready' 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

"It's hard to tell," Hinch said. "Some players need 10, 15, 20 at-bats. Some guys need 30 or 40. He's going to fall somewhere in the middle."

Gurriel, who entered Tuesday with 38 at-bats and a .263 batting average across three levels in the minor leagues, homered and doubled while going 3-for-4 with a walk in his first game for Fresno, which is home through Friday. The Astros are in Baltimore, so Gurriel could join the team for its series opener Monday against the Pirates.

"He's getting really close," Luhnow said. "We weren't quite there yet so I don't know what that means. Two more games, four more games, eight more games, but I want him to say, 'Jeff, I'm ready. Let's do this.'"