Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) is doing some work in the outfield prior to Friday's contest against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. Tucker is "improving but not at the pace we would want him to." Fantasy managers have been extremely disappointed with the fact that Tucker remains on the 10-day injured list despite suffering a right-shin contusion way back in early June. While the 27-year-old left-handed slugger is expected to return before September, he's running out of time to make a significant impact in fantasy the rest of the way. Tucker continues to do baseball activities, but his final hurdle will be running the bases at full speed. When healthy, he's one of the most valuable fantasy players in the game, so he needs to remain stashed everywhere.
Astros Optimistic Kyle Tucker Will Be Back Before September
The Houston Astros are optimistic that outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) will be back before September. "I'd be really disappointed if it was September but we're optimistic that it'll be before September," general manager Dana Brown said on Tucker's timeline. It's been a bit of a mystery as to why Tucker still hasn't returned after fouling a ball off his shin in early June. The 27-year-old didn't suffer a fractured leg, but is instead dealing with a right-shin contusion. While he has been increasing his baseball activities since the All-Star break last week, Tucker still doesn't have full strength back in his leg and has yet to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. The last hurdle for the All-Star outfielder will be running the bases. Fantasy managers must continue to be patient and keep him stashed in all leagues. Until Tucker returns, Trey Cabbage and Chas McCormick will split time in right field.
Kyle Tucker Does Intense Defensive Drills On Saturday
Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) was able to participate in what the team is describing as "intense defensive drills" on Saturday, a big step in his recovery from fouling a ball off his shin in early June. Tucker still hasn't performed any hitting activities, but his ability to participate in anything intense should feel like a big step forward. The 27-year-old was in the midst of an MVP caliber season before being sidelined. In his absence, the Astros have also worked their way back into a tie for the AL West lead with the Seattle Mariners as of Saturday morning, giving the lefty a little extra time to heal up as a playoff appearance looks much more likely than it did in early June. Given that Tucker has yet to participate in any batting activities, don't play on him being active until some point in September. Fantasy managers that need outfield help should look towards Jake Meyers and Joey Loperfido, though both have been having a subpar July.
Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) fouled a pitch off his right shin on June 3 and is still walking with a slight limp. As of Sunday morning, he had only resumed light, on-field baseball activities that did not include hitting. "I can't do everything normally right now," Tucker said. The Astros have described Tucker's injury as a "right-shin contusion," with both general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada terming it a "bone bruise." Tucker said there have been multiple rounds of imaging done on his leg, none of which showed anything more serious than what the team has described. If Tucker can't start a minor-league rehab assignment within the next week, his chances of returning before Aug. 1 diminish. It's also worth wondering if this is an injury that Tucker will have to manage when he returns and if it will affect his production. All fantasy managers can do is stay patient. UPDATE: Brown said there's no timetable for Tucker's return, and he will definitely need some time in the minors on a rehab assignment.
Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) played catch on the field at Minute Maid Park on Thursday before the contest against the visiting Miami Marlins. It's the first time he's done any on-field baseball activities since fouling a ball off his shin way back on June 3. Fantasy managers have to be frustrated by how long Tucker has been out for a seemingly minor injury, but the good news is that he's making progress. However, given his long layoff, there's a good chance he's going to need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, which means it's unlikely we'll see him back in Houston's starting lineup next weekend after the All-Star break. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger is an elite fantasy asset when he's healthy, so there's no way he should be available on any waiver wire.
Kyle Tucker Progressing From Shin Injury And “Feeling Pretty Good”
Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin contusion) has been out since fouling a ball off his shin on June 3. Four days later, the Astros placed him on the 10-day injured list, and the All-Star is still rehabbing from that injury he suffered over one month ago. However, Tucker appears to be close to a return. Astros manager Joe Espada said on July 7 that the outfielder is "feeling pretty good." On July 5, Espada also said the 27-year-old had begun hitting and playing catch and should "start running in the next few days." While Tucker won't be ready to return before the All-Star break, he should be activated shortly after.
Kyle Tucker Playing Catch And Hitting Off Pitching Machine
Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) has begun to make significant progress in his recovery process, according to Houston skipper Joe Espada. Espada expressed that Tucker jogged yesterday and that he has begun to play catch. In addition, Tucker has exclusively been hitting off a pitching machine and has only been hitting low-velocity pitches. The 27-year-old has been on the injured list since June 7 with a right shin contusion and is expected to be out through the All-Star Break. Prior to the injury, the former fifth overall pick held a .266/.395/.584 line with 19 home runs, 10 stolen bases, and 40 RBI. While he remains out, Chas McCormick should see the majority of starts in right field.
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada acknowledged on Thursday that outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) will not return to the team before the All-Star break in mid-July. Tucker fouled a ball off his leg in early June and hasn't been able to return since. The 27-year-old has started swinging a bat, though, so hopefully he'll be able to go on a minor-league rehab assignment sooner than later and be available to fantasy managers early in the second half of the season. When healthy, he's one of the best all-around fantasy assets in the game. Through 214 at-bats in 2024, Tucker is hitting .266 (57-for-214) with 19 homers, 40 RBI, 10 stolen bases and 42 runs scored. He must remain stashed everywhere. Until he returns, Trey Cabbage, Chas McCormick and rookie Joey Loperfido will continue to battle for playing time in right field in Houston.
Kyle Tucker "Still A Few Weeks Away" From Returning
Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) "actually turned a corner" while hitting in the cage on Monday, manager Joe Espada said prior to Tuesday's game against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays. The hope is that Tucker will do some on-field work during the Astros' four-game series that wraps up on Thursday at Rogers Centre. After taking a bit longer than expected to bounce back from the right shin contusion that led to a stint on the injured list on June 7, Tucker will still likely need a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to Houston's outfield. After Espada also said that Tucker is still a few weeks away from rejoining them, fantasy managers should still not be expecting the 27-year-old five-category superstar to be activated from the IL before the mid-July All-Star break.
Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) will travel with the team to New York this weekend for their series against the New York Mets with hopes he can get on the field soon. Tucker took 30 swings off the tee on Tuesday, but considering he still needs to resume running, it's highly unlikely that he'll be able to return to the Astros before the end of June at this point. The 27-year-old star outfielder has missed more time than anticipated due to a right shin contusion, so it's likely Tucker will now need a brief minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the injured list.
