HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel and designated hitter Yordan Alvarez are back in the lineup after missing recent games with injuries.
Alvarez (wrist) last played May 25 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, while Gurriel last played May 28 against the San Diego Padres. Gurriel dealt with inflammation in his left middle finger.
"We're glad to have them back," Astros manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday.
"Their replacements did a great job. You can go without your big boys for a few days but in the long run, that's why they're the big boys. It gave our other guys a chance to get some (at-bats) to contribute and be sharper for the next time when I do call upon them."
Gurriel and Alvarez are hitting .309 and .310, respectively. Gurriel ranks 10th in the American League in on-base percentage (.380), is tied for ninth in RBI (38) and is sixth in batting average.
Alvarez had been struggling before he was sidelined. He's 0-for his last 15.
The Astros are still without left fielder Michael Brantley, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with tightness in his right hamstring.
Baker said he hopes Brantley can return "some time early" on the Astros' road trip, which begins this Friday, June 4 against the Toronto Blue Jays (playing in Buffalo), then the Boston Red Sox (June 8-10) and Minnesota Twins (June 11-13).
Brantley has been hitting since he's been out and will be running on the field the next couple of days, Baker said.
Despite the injuries, the Astros are thriving at the plate. Houston enters Tuesday's game against the Red Sox leading the majors in runs scored (284), batting average (.267) and hits (489); rank third in OPS (.761), OBP (.336), doubles (99); and fourth in slugging percentage (.424).
The Astros also have the fewest strikeouts (368) in MLB.
