Astros call up Cuban veteran Yulieski Gurriel

The Yulieski Gurriel era is about to begin in Houston.

Following a 12-2 thumping of the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night, Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch said the veteran Cuban signee will be in Sunday's lineup, marking his much-anticipated MLB debut.

It's unclear where Hinch expects to play him, though it's likely the infielder could see time in the outfield.

Gurriel defected from Cuba with his younger brother Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in February.

The elder Gurriel signed a five-year, $47.5-million deal with Houston in July, and has been working his way through the farm system since then. Spread across time in Rookie ball, High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A, Gurriel is slashing .250/.262/.429 with two home runs.

In 15 seasons in the Cuban league, he batted .335/.417/.580 with 250 home runs, 308 doubles, and 1,108 RBIs.