HOUSTON -- Kyle Tucker will return to action for the Astros at some point this season. That much seems certain after Tucker faced a pitcher during a live batting practice session at Minute Maid Park on Friday for the first time since he fouled a ball off his shin on June 3. Then, he provided a loose timeline for his return. It's possible Tucker rejoins to the Astros' lineup when the team plays the Reds in Cincinnati beginning Monday, but he said a more realistic goal is returning on the following homestand, which begins Sept. 6 and ends Sept. 12. That would give him three weeks' worth of games to get ready for the postseason, which would be a huge boost to Houston's playoff chances. "It's definitely coming along and coming along pretty quick now," Tucker said. "I still got some boxes to check before I get out there. I'm trying to do that as quick, as fast as possible while also being smart with it. I'm pretty happy with how the last week and last couple of days have gone. I'm going to try to build up to do as much as possible in terms of playing every single day. Try and get back into baseball shape and being able to go out there, not just for one game or two games, but for the rest of the season and try to stay healthy." |
Another big development on Friday came when Tucker said he didn't think he'd necessarily need a Minor League rehab assignment, despite missing three months. Tucker believes he can get ready for game action with more live batting practice sessions and drills in the outfield -- though some things are impossible to duplicate without playing in a game. "Hitting-wise I feel good, and feel confident [in] how I can go out there and compete and take my at-bats," Tucker said. "But also, got to think you've got to run the bases after you hit the ball. If I'm not trying to beat out an infield single or get a hustle double or anything right now, I think I'll be fine on a single jogging down to first, or a homer or a walk or whatever. There's a lot of other things that require you to instinctively take off and compete." |
Tucker had a monster first two months for the Astros. When he landed on the IL, his .979 OPS was fourth in MLB behind the Yankees' Aaron Judge (1.080) and Juan Soto (1.027) and the Braves' Marcell Ozuna (1.000). Tucker also ranked second in the American League in walks (46) and third in slugging (.584), and he was the only qualifying player in the AL with more walks than strikeouts. He was the third player in franchise history with at least 19 homers in the team's first 59 games. "I've been pretty much doing everything I can to try and get back on the field and try and do it as fast as I can," Tucker said. "It probably takes a little longer than I'm probably going to want to do, but it's coming up on the end of the season and I'm going to try and push it." |
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The Astros can call up one position player and one pitcher to join their active roster after Saturday's game, meaning they'll carry 28 players for the final 26 games of the regular season. Four players who aren't yet eligible to be called back up are outfielder Chas McCormick and relievers Seth Martinez, Bryan King and Shawn Dubin, all of whom were recently optioned. Players must stay down for 10 days before coming back up. Here's a look at a few players on the Astros' radar: RHP Rafael Montero: Montero was outrighted to Sugar Land on Aug. 3 after posting a 4.70 ERA in 41 games for the Astros in the first four months of the season, but he's allowed just four hits and four walks while striking out 17 in eight innings at Triple-A. |
RHP Forrest Whitley: Whitley, who recorded the Astros' final two outs in his Major League debut (and heretofore only Major League game) on April 16, has a 2.43 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 11 walks allowed in 29 2/3 innings. C César Salazar: If the Astros choose to carry a third catcher, which would make it less of a risk to have both Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini in the lineup, they could call on Salazar, who slashed .318/.393/.409 with eight RBIs in 22 at-bats for the Astros earlier this year. OF Trey Cabbage: Cabbage has been up and down between the Astros and Sugar Land and provides some speed and athleticism off the bench, though he posted a .590 OPS in 86 at-bats with Houston this year. |
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