Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker has been on the injured listing attributable to a proper shin contusion for practically two months now, but it surely doesn’t seem as if he’s prone to be part of the membership’s lineup anytime quickly as they try to drag away from the Mariners in a good race for the AL West crown. As supervisor Joe Espada advised reporters (together with Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle) earlier as we speak, the membership shouldn’t be but sure if Tucker will have the ability to contribute within the majors at any level within the month of August. Espada described the scenario with Tucker as a day-to-day scenario, including that whereas it’s a “risk” he may play in some unspecified time in the future this month it will be “too aggressive” for him to decide to that timeline.
It’s a irritating replace for Astros followers, as Tucker had been no doubt the membership’s greatest hitter previous to the damage. 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 the whole sport on the time of his damage. In his absence, the Astros have turned their season round in a giant manner with a 32-19 file because the 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 simple to think about the return of Tucker offering the lineup with a further spark that would assist buoy the membership as they pursue their eighth consecutive look within the ALCS. In fact, even a return someday in September may 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 as we speak, as relayed by MLB.com’s Martín Gallegos. In line with Gallegos, Miller performed catch with out his solid as we speak as he rehabs from a fractured finger in his non-throwing hand. The following step for the righty is to throw a stay bullpen session in a simulated recreation on Monday. The 25-year-old phenom has change into certainly one of 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 task 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 properly, it appears attainable that the righty may have the ability to skip a rehab task solely and return not lengthy after he’s first eligible to come back off the shelf on August 7.
- Mariners followers acquired some unlucky information from down on the farm lately as Ryan Divish of The Seattle Occasions reviews that shortstop Felnin Celesten underwent season-ending surgical procedure to restore a preexisting hamate damage. 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 robust defensive popularity 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 Complicated League video games earlier than being sidelined by damage. It appears doubtless he’ll get his first style of full-season ball typically subsequent 12 months as soon as he’s returned from rehab.
