Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker has been on the injured record because of a proper shin contusion for almost two months now, however it doesn’t seem as if he’s more likely to be a part of the membership’s lineup anytime quickly as they try to drag away from the Mariners in a decent race for the AL West crown. As supervisor Joe Espada advised reporters (together with Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle) earlier in the present day, the membership will not be but sure if Tucker will be capable to contribute within the majors at any level within the month of August. Espada described the state of affairs with Tucker as a day-to-day state of affairs, including that whereas it’s a “chance” he might play sooner or later this month it might be “too aggressive” for him to decide to that timeline.
It’s a irritating replace for Astros followers, as Tucker had been definitely the membership’s greatest hitter previous to the harm. In 262 journeys to the plate throughout 60 video games this 12 months, the 27-year-old was slashing an otherworldly .266/.395/.584 (172 wRC+) that made him one of many prime bats in all the sport on the time of his harm. In his absence, the Astros have turned their season round in an enormous method with a 32-19 file for the reason that begin of June thanks largely to sturdy offensive performances from previously-struggling gamers like Yainer Diaz and Alex Bregman. With extra of the Houston lineup contributing every day in latest weeks, it’s straightforward to think about the return of Tucker offering the lineup with a further spark that might assist buoy the membership as they pursue their eighth consecutive look within the ALCS. In fact, even a return someday in September might give the younger star loads of time to organize for a possible playoff run whereas nonetheless meaningfully contributing to video games down the stretch.
Extra from across the AL West:
The Athletics provided a optimistic replace concerning injured nearer Mason Miller in the present day, as relayed by MLB.com’s Martín Gallegos. In keeping with Gallegos, Miller performed catch with out his solid in the present day as he rehabs from a fractured finger in his non-throwing hand. The following step for the righty is to throw a dwell bullpen session in a simulated sport on Monday. The 25-year-old phenom has grow to be one among league’s best-known relievers this 12 months by dominating to a 2.21 ERA with a 1.72 FIP in 40 2/3 innings of labor as Oakland’s nearer, a job that’s seen him rack up 15 saves. Miller final pitched on July 22 and was positioned on the IL a couple of days later after fracturing his left pinkie finger within the membership’s coaching room. If that bullpen session goes effectively, it appears potential that the righty would possibly be capable to skip a rehab project totally and return not lengthy after he’s first eligible to come back off the shelf on August 7.
Mariners followers obtained some unlucky information from down on the farm lately as Ryan Divish of The Seattle Occasions stories that shortstop Felnin Celesten underwent season-ending surgical procedure to restore a preexisting hamate harm. Celesten, 18, is the membership’s #5 prospect in accordance with MLB Pipeline and was among the many prime prospects of the 2023 class of worldwide amateurs. Signed out of the Dominican Republic to a $4.7MM bonus, Celesten is taken into account a high-floor prospect with a powerful defensive status at shortstop and strong all-around instruments. In his first style of stateside ball this 12 months, Celesten slashed a wonderful .352/.431/.568 in 32 Arizona Advanced League video games earlier than being sidelined by harm. It appears seemingly he’ll get his first style of full-season ball typically subsequent 12 months as soon as he’s returned from rehab.
