Astros' Alex Bregman leaves spring game with back stiffness

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Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman works on ground balls at Fitteam Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on Day 4 of spring training on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, in West Palm Beach.

>>>Browse through the gallery for a look at the best MLB free agents this offseason ... less Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman works on ground balls at Fitteam Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on Day 4 of spring training on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, in West Palm Beach. PHOTOS: Best MLB free agents this offseason

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman works on ground balls at Fitteam Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on Day 4 of spring training on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, in Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman works on ground balls at Fitteam Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on Day 4 of spring training on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, in ... more Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 99 Caption Close Astros' Alex Bregman leaves spring game with back stiffness 1 / 99 Back to Gallery

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Alex Bregman will be withheld from Thursday’s Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals after experiencing back stiffness in the first inning of Wednesday’s 11-5 victory against the Marlins.

Bregman, who underwent right elbow surgery in January, departed between the second and third inning of Wednesday’s game in West Palm Beach. He was unavailable for comment postgame in the clubhouse.

The third baseman made an impressive, charging play on a slow-roller to in the first inning before coaxing a full-count walk in his only plate appearance. Manager A.J. Hinch intimated Bregman could return to game action on Friday.

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“He took a swing in his one at-bat and had a little bit of back stiffness,” Hinch said. “He sort of begged and pleaded to stay in the game, but I took him out.”

On Monday, after he singled and mashed hit a two-run home run against the Mets, Bregman said his surgically repaired right elbow was feeling “awesome” with “no pain, no tightness, nothing.”

Wednesday, after another minor setback, all again appeared well. Hinch said Bregman sent a text message to someone in the dugout during the game stating he would be ready to play on Thursday.

“That made me feel better,” Hinch said, “but I’m still not going to play him.”

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