The Astros optioned Hensley to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
With Jose Altuve (thumb) returning from the injured list, the struggling Hensley will serve as Houston's roster casualty. Through 86 plate appearances, he holds just a .403 OPS and has struck out 32 times (37.2 percent). The 27-year-old utility man slashed .298/.420/.478 in Triple-A last season, so perhaps he will be able to find his swing again in the minors.
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Astros' David Hensley: Swats first homer
Rotowire
Hensley went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's loss to the Angels.
Hensley gave Houston its final lead in the fifth inning with a 412-foot solo shot. The long ball was his first of the campaign and second overall as a big-leaguer. Hensley was overdue for a positive performance, as he entered Monday with a .129/.229/.145 slash line and 35.7 percent strikeout rate on the season.
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Astros' David Hensley: Gets call at designated hitter
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Hensley is in the designated hitter spot and batting eighth for the Astros on Tuesday in Tampa Bay, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
It will be Hensley at DH and Corey Julks in left field with Yordan Alvarez (neck) sidelined. Hensley has just seven hits in 45 at-bats so far this season for Houston.
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Astros' David Hensley: Starting at DH
Rotowire
Hensley is starting at designated hitter and batting sixth for the Astros in Friday's game against the Rangers.
Hensley isn't playing much at second base, with Mauricio Dubon emerging as the clear preferred option to fill in for Jose Altuve (thumb). He has started each of the last two contests at DH versus lefties, though, and will continue to fill in at various positions.
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Astros' David Hensley: Sitting in second straight
Rotowire
Hensley is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.
Hensley has chipped in two stolen bases through Houston's first 10 games, but his .522 OPS is just over 200 points lower than Mauricio Dubon's mark (.724). He'll be on the bench for the second game in a row and looks like he'll have to settle for a utility role for the time being with Dubon seemingly establishing himself as the top option at the keystone while Jose Altuve (thumb) is on the shelf.
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Astros' David Hensley: Reaches base three times
Rotowire
Hensley went 2-for-3 with an RBI, a walk and a stolen base during Friday's win against the White Sox.
The 27-year-old made his season debut after Mauricio Dubon started at second base Thursday. Hensley impressed by reaching base three times, including in the eighth inning on a 101.8 mph single. He posted a 1.027 OPS in a small MLB sample last season and looks to be paving the way for regular playing time, at least until Jose Altuve (thumb) returns.
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Astros' David Hensley: Gets start at second Friday
Rotowire
Hensley is starting at second base and batting seventh Friday night against the White Sox.
Mauricio Dubon got the start at second in Thursday's season opener and went 0-for-3 as the Astros fell 3-2 to Dylan Cease and the White Sox. Now it will be Hensley's turn versus Lance Lynn. Hensley has the better offensive upside of the two fill-in options for Jose Altuve (thumb), and would be the more intriguing fantasy option if he can seize a full-time role.
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Astros' David Hensley: Starting at keystone Sunday
Rotowire
Hensley is starting at second base and batting cleanup in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The 26-year-old covering the keystone ordinarily wouldn't be newsworthy at this point in spring training, but it's notable after Jose Altuve suffered an injury Saturday during the World Baseball Classic, with the initial fear being that of a broken thumb. Hensley made five appearances at second base last season and could split time there with Mauricio Dubon with Altuve likely unavailable to open the campaign.
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Astros' David Hensley: Smacks first career home run
Rotowire
Hensley went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over Arizona.
Hensley replaced Yordan Alvarez as the designated hitter Tuesday after Alvarez left the game with an ankle injury, and he made the most of it. The rookie took a 1-2 fastball the opposite way to right field in the sixth inning for his first career home run. He also just missed a second round tripper as Arizona right fielder Jake McCarthy made a leaping catch to rob him of what was likely another homer in the eighth inning. If Alvarez is forced to miss additional time, Hensley could see more at-bats and provide sneaky value in a strong Houston lineup.
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Astros' David Hensley: Reaches base four times
Rotowire
Hensley went 3-for-4 with a walk and a run scored Wednesday against the Rangers.
Hensley was promoted from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday with Aledmys Diaz (groin) and Yordan Alvarez (hand) both banged up in recent days. Hensley has started three of Houston's last four games, collecting four hits in 13 at-bats. While at Sugar Land, Hensley maintained a .298/.420/.478 line in 464 plate appearances -- good for a 130 wRC+.
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Astros' David Hensley: Getting call from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Astros selected Hensley's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
With Aledmys Diaz (groin) and Mauricio Dubon (elbow) both banged up, Hensley will step in to provide utility depth. The 26-year-old career minor leaguer has seen time at every infield position besides catcher this year at Triple-A. He's hitting .298/.420/.478 with 10 home runs and 20 steals in 104 games.
