UPDATE: Levine now reports that Tommy Manzella will return to the Astros, but it is not yet clear if he will be the immediate starter. My opinion - you have to give Angel Sanchez a serious look before handing the job back to Manzella.
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The Astros have been dealt another significant blow with this morning's news that shortstop Clint Barmes has a broken left hand.
Barmes was hit by a pitch from the Yankees' Ivan Nova in yesterday's spring game against New York. He did not return to the game after taking the shot, which he described as "pretty square." Player and club alike were optimistic that it would just turn out to be a bad bruise. Instead, Barmes will sit with a fracture in the fifth metacarpal bone, which is the first bone of the pinky past the knuckle as you move toward the wrist. Barmes will be able to continue regular conditioning and workouts, minus the use of his left hand.
The most obvious choice to fill in for Barmes is of course Angel Sanchez. The Astros could also look to utility infielder Anderson Hernandez as well, but it will be interesting to see if Houston revisits its decision from Thursday to send last year's starting SS Tommy Manzella to Triple-A.