Houston Astros manager provides update on injured superstar

The Houston Astros can activate outfielder Kyle Tucker from the 10-day injured list on Friday. Manager Joe Espada hinted that was a possibility during Monday’s chat with the media ahead of their game against the San Francisco Giants.

Espada said Tucker no longer uses crutches, according to The Athletic, which he needed after fouling his right shin a week ago. The Astros waited until Friday to put him on IL (retroactive to June 4), hoping Tucker would respond quickly to treatment.

The tibia did not respond as quickly as hoped, but it did not suffer serious damage. He is listed with a right shin contusion.

Tucker hoped he would return when he was eligible. Espada expressed the same hope.

If Houston hopes to gain traction in the American League West or the AL Wild Card race, they need Tucker’s bat. They entered Monday’s game with the Giants 6.5 games out of the AL West lead and 4.5 games out of last place in the AL Wild Card.

When the 27-year-old right fielder came on the IL, he was hitting .266/.395/.584/.979 with 19 home runs and 40 RBIs. At the time, his .979 OPS was fourth in the Majors behind Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Marcell Ozuna. He finished second in the AL with 46 walks and third with a .584 slugging percentage. He also had more walks than strikeouts (41) at the plate.

This is shaping up to be another season that puts Tucker in the mix for AL Most Valuable Player. The Astros’ first-round pick from Tampa, Fla., in 2015 has been in the Top 20 in MVP voting in each of the last three seasons. He achieved his best result in 2023, finishing fifth. Shohei Ohtani won the award.

Tucker has also been an All-Star in each of the last two seasons and he’s on the ballot again and appears to be one of the Astros most likely to make the team, whether as leaving or as a reserve.

Houston is in San Francisco for the next three games. After an off day Thursday, they return to Minute Maid Park to host the Detroit Tigers starting Friday, when Tucker and the Astros hope he will be active.