Kyle Tucker - Could return this weekAstros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Tucker (shin) could be activated from the 60-day injured list and "potentially play maybe Wednesday or Thursday" in Cincinnati, M...ImpactTucker's lengthy rehab program from a deep bruise in his right shin that first cropped up in early June seems to be nearing its end. The star outfielder reached a major milestone in the recovery process by running the bases at full speed this past week, and he took another major step forward by facing off against live pitching in batting practice Sunday for the third day in a row, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. After Sunday's workout, manager Joe Espada concurred with Brown's assessment of the outfielder, telling McTaggart that Tucker is "really, really close" to returning. Espada didn't elaborate much further on the matter, but Tucker looks like he could bypass a rehab assignment and return to the lineup at some point during the final two games of the series in Cincinnati. His return during the final four weeks of the season would provide a major jolt to a Houston squad that has managed to climb its away to the top of the AL West standings without Tucker for the past three months.
SEPTEMBER 1•ROTOWIRE