Astros place Aledmys Díaz on injured list with left groin injury

CHICAGO — The Astros placed utilityman Aledmys Díaz on the injured list prior to Wednesday’s game against the White Sox and flew him back to Houston for further evaluation on a left groin injury.

Díaz exited the team’s 4-3 loss Tuesday after making a running catch in left field. Afterward, Díaz described the injury as some “tightness” in his left groin and did not seem concerned. Manager Dusty Baker did not offer much of a timeline for Díaz’s return.

“You never know with injuries, especially you don’t know when it’s in the groin area,” Baker said before Wednesday’s game. “That’s the center of everything — running, throwing, hitting. I’m just hoping we caught it before it got too serious.”

The team recalled J.J. Matijevic from Class AAA Sugar Land to take Díaz’s spot on the active roster.

Díaz’s absence does deal a significant blow to the team’s flexibility. The 32-year-old utilityman served as Houston’s primary backup at every infield position while starting 18 games in left field. He had a 103 OPS+ — the league average is 100 — and struck 10 home runs in 274 plate appearances prior to his injury.

Matijevic’s most natural position is first base and he has played left field at the major league level. Mauricio Dubón will become the team’s primary backup at second base and shortstop, but Baker said the added responsibilities may limit how much he can play him in center field.

Baker intimated that Yuli Gurriel will get pregame work at third base during this road trip in an effort to make the roster more flexible. 

Díaz’s absence could mean a more defined role for Chas McCormick in left field, too, as the team continues to absorb Michael Brantley’s season-ending shoulder surgery. Trey Mancini and Yordan Alvarez can contribute, too, but only behind ground-ball pitchers in smaller ballparks.

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