Hinch targets 30 to 40 games for Beltran in LF

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. --- Astros manager A.J. Hinch said ideally he would like to play Carlos Beltran in left field for 30 to 40 games this season.

The switch-hitting Beltran, who turns 40 on April 24, will garner most of his at-bats at designated hitter but the more he's able to play the field the more flexibility Hinch will have in constructing his lineups.

Catcher Evan Gattis and first baseman Yuli Gurriel also figure to garner DH at-bats and Hinch likes to sprinkle in occasional DH starts for second baseman Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa and outfielder George Springer to get them off their feet.

Beltran played the field in 69 games last season while with the Yankees and Rangers. The left-handed Nori Aoki will share left field with him, slotting into the bottom of the Astros lineup against righthanded pitchers. Josh Reddick figures to move from right to left when Jake Marisnick plays center field and Marisnick will play left in some of the ballparks with more spacious dimensions in left field.

Of his target number of games for Beltran to play the field, Hinch said it "might be aggressive."

"But he's defying every other aging curve," the manager added, "so why wouldn't he defy it now?"