Yulieski Gurriel may require more time in minors before joining Astros

TORONTO --- Yulieski Gurriel played his fifth Class AA game Sunday night in Corpus Christi. The Astros hoped it would be his last before debuting in the majors on Tuesday, but they never declared his arrival date as set in stone.

General manager Jeff Luhnow has reiterated for a couple weeks now that Gurriel's readiness would dictate when the $47.5-million Cuban infielder joined the Astros. On the Saturday two weeks ago Gurriel made his stateside pro debut in the Gulf Coast League, Luhnow anticipated the 32-year-old needing at least two weeks of game action in the minor leagues but did not rule out more.

More now appears the likelier route the Astros will take, as Gurriel struggled to hone his timing against Texas League pitching this week. He entered Sunday night's game at Whataburger Field with merely one hit in 14 at-bats. In four plate appearances Sunday he recorded a sacrifice fly, hit a run-scoring single, flew out to center field and struck out swinging.

Hours before Corpus Christi's game Sunday, in his weekly appearance on the pre-game show of the Astros' radio broadcast (790 AM), Luhnow made a Tuesday debut for Gurriel sound less likely than he had when he addressed the media Friday afternoon at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

"We're going to wait until he feels like his timing is right," Luhnow said in his Sunday afternoon radio interview. "It's one of those things during spring training that players have to get their timing right. I think defensively he's got his legs under him. He feels good fielding the position. But right now the timing isn't quite there."

Luhnow went on to note that "at this point it may be wisest to let him continue to get some more minor league at-bats before letting him face (Jaime) Garcia and (Carlos) Martinez on Tuesday and Wednesday."

More clarity should come Monday, when the Astros and Corpus Christi both observe scheduled off days. The Hooks play their next six games in Arkansas. If the Astros and Gurriel don't feel he's ready, perhaps he could play a stint with Class AAA Fresno, which is home through Friday.

Hours before Corpus Christi's game Sunday, in his weekly appearance on the pre-game show of the Astros' radio broadcast (790 AM), Jeff Luhnow made a Tuesday debut for Yulieski Gurriel sound less likely than he had when he addressed the media Friday afternoon at Rogers Centre in Toronto. less Hours before Corpus Christi's game Sunday, in his weekly appearance on the pre-game show of the Astros' radio broadcast (790 AM), Jeff Luhnow made a Tuesday debut for Yulieski Gurriel sound less likely than he ... more Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Yulieski Gurriel may require more time in minors before joining Astros 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

After hosting the Cardinals on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Astros hit the road again for four games in Baltimore and three in Pittsburgh.