Stitched up: Astros’ All-Star INF Bregman out of lineup

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — All-Star infielder Alex Bregman is out of Houston’s starting lineup a night after a groundball took a nasty hop and hit him in the chin.

Astros manager AJ Hinch says Bregman, who needed four stitches, has been evaluated a couple of times since getting hit, is doing OK and begging to play. The manager says Bregman “has not been diagnosed with a concussion at all.”

Bregman was playing shortstop in the series opener at Texas when a grounder by Shin-Soo Choo popped up and hit Bregman below his mouth in the third inning.

Bregman went through much of his normal routine before Friday’s game, including some batting practice and taking some groundballs.

Myles Straw, who replaced him in the field Thursday, started at shortstop Friday night. Bregman, the team’s primary third baseman, has been playing shortstop with Carlos Correa on the injured list.