Gonzalez (hand) remains on track to return to the lineup Friday, Jake Kaplan of The Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The versatile Gonzalez is out of the lineup for the third consecutive day Thursday after experiencing discomfort in his hand earlier in the week. According to Kaplan, Gonzalez is available off the bench if needed Thursday, but manager A.J. Hinch will likely try to avoid using him until Friday. Look for Gonzalez to draw back into the lineup for Houston's series opener against the Angels, where he'll likely spell either Yulieski Gurriel or Norichika Aoki.