Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker has been on the injured list due to a right shin contusion for nearly two months now, but it doesn’t appear as though he’s likely to join the club’s lineup anytime soon as they attempt to pull away from the Mariners in a tight race for the AL West crown. As manager Joe Espada told reporters (including Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle) earlier today, the club is not yet certain if Tucker will be able to contribute in the majors at any point in the month of August. Espada described the situation with Tucker as a day-to-day situation, adding that while it’s a “possibility” he could play at some point this month it would be “too aggressive” for him to commit to that timeline.
It’s a frustrating update for Astros fans, as Tucker had been without a doubt the club’s best hitter prior to the injury. In 262 trips to the plate across 60 games this year, the 27-year-old was slashing an otherworldly .266/.395/.584 (172 wRC+) that made him one of the top bats in the entire sport at the time of his injury. In his absence, the Astros have turned their season around in a big way with a 32-19 record since the start of June thanks in large part to strong offensive performances from previously-struggling players like Yainer Diaz and Alex Bregman. With more of the Houston lineup contributing on a daily basis in recent weeks, it’s easy to imagine the return of Tucker providing the lineup with an additional spark that could help buoy the club as they pursue their eighth consecutive appearance in the ALCS. Of course, even a return sometime in September could give the young star plenty of time to prepare for a potential playoff run while still meaningfully contributing to games down the stretch.
More from around the AL West:
- The Athletics offered a positive update regarding injured closer Mason Miller today, as relayed by MLB.com’s Martín Gallegos. According to Gallegos, Miller played catch without his cast today as he rehabs from a fractured finger in his non-throwing hand. The next step for the righty is to throw a live bullpen session in a simulated game on Monday. The 25-year-old phenom has become one of league’s best-known relievers this year by dominating to a 2.21 ERA with a 1.72 FIP in 40 2/3 innings of work as Oakland’s closer, a role that’s seen him rack up 15 saves. Miller last pitched on July 22 and was placed on the IL a few days later after fracturing his left pinkie finger in the club’s training room. If that bullpen session goes well, it seems possible that the righty might be able to skip a rehab assignment entirely and return not long after he’s first eligible to come off the shelf on August 7.
- Mariners fans received some unfortunate news from down on the farm recently as Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports that shortstop Felnin Celesten underwent season-ending surgery to repair a preexisting hamate injury. Celesten, 18, is the club’s #5 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and was among the top prospects of the 2023 class of international amateurs. Signed out of the Dominican Republic to a $4.7MM bonus, Celesten is considered a high-floor prospect with a strong defensive reputation at shortstop and solid all-around tools. In his first taste of stateside ball this year, Celesten slashed an excellent .352/.431/.568 in 32 Arizona Complex League games before being sidelined by injury. It seems likely he’ll get his first taste of full-season ball sometimes next year once he’s returned from rehab.
No way just shin contusion. Something isn’t adding up. Bone chip?
Is that your contusion conclusion?
It seems his contusion illusion is causing some confusion.
It’s a profusion of illusions with Tucker’s contusion confusion.
The profusion of confusion over Tucker’s contusion is all an illusion.
Hopefully Tucker handles it differently than Rendon’s “bone bruise” on his shin that later became a fractured tibia.
Respectfully, the asterisks have to catch the Mariners before they can pull away from them. Mariners are in first, asterisks are in second.
No they meant ‘pull away’ as in get Tucker in the line-up but then slip further behind them. Pulling in the opposite direction. Right?
Has there been an in depth explanation anywhere regarding what else could be going on with Tucker? His return date continues to be pushed back (seems to be the norm for injured Stros now).
Will keep my opinions to myself
Ask Kyle’s Mom – the Mother Tucker would know.
Since when did .266 become “otherworldly”?
“Otherworldly” certainly overstates his performance, but BA is a small portion of hitting evaluations. It’s the .395 OBP, .584 SLG, and 172 wRC+ that demonstrate how well he was doing at the plate.
Today there are just 7 players in the AL who have a batting avg above.300. Only 10 players in all of baseball are batting above .300!! But thats beside the point….because…..here come the analytics police..
You chose the wrong slash metric to dispute the use of the otherworldly adjective! Look at Tucker’s Slg % or his .398 OBP, or the wRC+ stat that is 72% better than lg average. His sheer amount of XBH’s, his OBP and his ability to drive in Runs…..now THAT is otherworldly!
When the Mariners “Unfortunate news” is season ending surgery to our SS in Rookie League… that’s a slow news day. Good Luck and Good Health, Felnin!