NEW YORK — Though he will play one more minor league rehab game with the Corpus Christi Hooks on Sunday, George Springer is trending toward a return to the Astros lineup on Tuesday night against the Pirates.

"We'll reevaluate him afterward," manager A.J. Hinch said Sunday. "But it's pretty obvious that the off day is tomorrow and we'll see what we've got for Tuesday."

Springer played nine innings during the Hooks' 11-inning victory on Saturday night, splitting time between center and right field. He drew three walks and struck an RBI single. Springer hit two home runs during his first minor league game on Thursday.

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Sunday was the 27th straight game Houston has played without Springer, their everyday leadoff hitter and American League MVP candidate who strained his left hamstring on May 24.

Since May 25, Astros leadoff hitters have slashed .167/.268/.324. In that span, only two major league teams — the Cardinals and Giants — received a lower OPS from the leadoff position in their batting order.

Houston tried the trio of Josh Reddick, Derek Fisher and Alex Bregman in the leadoff spot before finally giving the role to José Altuve for the final two games of this weekend's series against the Yankees.

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