Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker’s return appears imminent after missing nearly three months with what has become a controversial shin injury. Tucker has not played in a major league game since fouling a ball off his right shin in a June 3rd game against the Cardinals. Houston has long maintained that he suffered a “deep bone bruise” or a “shin contusion,” but The Athletic reports that Tucker’s shin was fractured.
According to The Athletic, three sources with knowledge of Tucker’s injury confirmed that the 27-year-old outfielder suffered a bone fracture. Astros general manager Dana Brown first denied that Tucker’s shin had a fracture before confirming the injury in a statement made public Monday.
“After several rounds of medical imaging, we suspect there was some type of small fracture,” Brown said in a statement to The Athletic on Monday. “As with all injuries of this type, once the fracture heals, it takes time for the muscles around the leg to regain strength. Tuck has worked extremely hard to get back on the field and thankfully is ready now to help us in September and in the postseason.”
Injured Astros Outfielder Kyle Tucker’s Return Is Imminent
Regardless, Tucker’s return to the now first-place Astros lineup appears imminent. The three-time All-Star right fielder traveled with the Astros to Cincinnati for a three-game series that started on Monday. Tucker is back to facing live pitching and has been participating in defensive drills in the outfield. On Friday, Tucker said that the pain in his shin is “minimal” and called Houston’s road trip the “best-case” scenario for his return.
“If I’m not trying to beat out an infield single or hustling up to anything right now, I think I’d be fine,” Tucker said. “[I’ll] look to potentially [return] in Cincinnati or the home stand after.”
Houston values starting Yordan Alvarez at designated hitter, but with Alex Bregman also injured, Tucker’s return could be problematic if he is not ready to play the outfield. Astros manager Joe Espada said on Monday that Tucker was running at 85% with “no issues.” Though it’s unclear if being able to run at 100% is necessary, Espada said Tucker could return “pretty soon.”
The Astros have surged into first place in the American League West in his 91-day absence. Regaining even a limited version of Tucker could be tempting for Houston, who have lacked production in their corner outfield. His return would give an already dangerous Astros lineup a major boost on both sides of the ball going into the postseason.
Main Photo Credits: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
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