Jason

Bourgeois

Bourgeois took batting practice Saturday for the first time since the Astros’ homestand began on Thursday. He came on as a pinch-runner Saturday and stayed in to take a few at-bats, so the wrist clearly isn’t a major issue.

We’re assuming this means they were traded, though the Astros have yet to make an official announcement. The Royals are known to be looking for a catcher with Salvador Perez sidelined following knee surgery while the Nationals have been mentioned as a possible suitor for Bourgeois in recent weeks. Stay tuned.

As expected. It’s not clear where they are headed and Astros’ general manager Jeff Luhnow declined to comment on the situation, likely because he is waiting for the deal to be finalized. We should know something in the next couple of hours.

The Royals’ starting outfield is pretty set with Alex Gordon, Lorenzo Cain and Jeff Francoeur, so Bourgeois figures to stick as a reserve outfielder. The 30-year-old batted .293/.393/.357 with one home run, 16 RBI, 31 stolen bases and a .680 OPS over 252 plate appearances with Houston last year. He’ll be arbitration-eligible for the first time after this season.

“He had another strain,” said Royals general manager Dayton Moore. “We’re still waiting on the final diagnosis. It’s around the same area, but I’m not sure it’s the same thing.” Cain was originally expected to return from the disabled list Friday, but his timetable will be pushed back at least a few more days. Jason Bourgeois and Mitch Maier will continue to share playing time in center field while he’s sidelined.

The new injury is currently being characterized as a strained left hip flexor, but we should know more after he is examined Thursday in Kansas City. The Royals originally hoped to have Cain back on Friday, but we’ll likely have to wait a couple more weeks. Jason Bourgeois and Mitch Maier will continue to benefit in the short-term.

Just a routine day off for the struggling Gordon, who is 0-for-13 to begin the season. Jason Bourgeois will start in his place in left field.

Gordon is now 0-for-13 on the season and isn’t likely to be in Monday’s lineup at Oakland. The Royals figure to go with fourth outfielder Jason Bourgeois against the left-handed Tommy Milone.

He was sent down to make room for Jarrod Dyson on the active roster. Bourgeois appeared to have a golden opportunity for playing time after Lorenzo Cain (groin) went on the disabled list earlier this month, but Mitch Maier has made the majority of the starts in center field.

The Nationals would use Bourgeois as a stop gap option in center field, though a deal is not considered imminent. The 30-year-old batted .293/.393/.357 with one home run, 16 RBI, 31 stolen bases and a .680 OPS over 252 plate appearances with Houston last year. Assuming Bryce Harper begins the season in the minors, the Nats project to go with some combination of Roger Bernadina, Rick Ankiel and possibly Brett Carroll in center field.