Alex Bregman's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman's (elbow) availability to play third base will "kind of be a fluid situation" for the rest of the season, he said on Wednesday. Bregman returned to action on Wednesday after a five-game absence due to swelling in his right elbow and was able to hit a homer in his first at-bat as the designated hitter. He said there is no structural damage to his UCL, but swelling remains a problem, and it's something he's going to need to manage the rest of the year. It's unclear if this situation is related, but Bregman did have arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips in the same elbow after the 2018 season. He doesn't feel pain while swinging or throwing. Bregman had a .534 OPS on May 13, but he's since raised it to .768 and has been red-hot in August. With Bregman limited to DH duties for now, the Astros will like use a combination of rookies Shay Whitcomb or Zach Dezenzo at third.

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman made his return to the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox. Bregman showed no signs of rust following a five-game absence due to elbow inflammation. He made some noise early on by taking starting pitcher Cooper Criswell deep in the first inning. It was his lone hit of the day but also his 20th home run of the season. Bregman served as the designated hitter on Wednesday, but he should shift back to third base soon. He's hitting .261 with 20 home runs and 60 RBI in 116 games this season. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable getting Bregman right back into their lineups.

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (elbow) is back in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the Boston Red Sox and right-hander Cooper Criswell at Minute Maid Park, serving as the designated hitter and batting leadoff. Rookie Shay Whitcomb is getting yet another start at third base and is hitting in the eight-hole. Bregman had missed each of the team's last five games due to swelling in the back of his right elbow, but he was adamant all along that it wasn't that serious and that he'd avoid a trip to the injured list. The 30-year-old could play third base if needed, but the Astros have elected to ease him back into the fold as the DH. Fantasy managers will want to get Bregman back in their starting lineups, as he's been on a tear in August, hitting .340 (18-for-53) with five homers, five doubles and eight RBI in 12 games. Hopefully, he can pick up where he left off.

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (elbow) remains out of the team's starting lineup on Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park. Bregman has now missed five straight games due to swelling in the back of his right elbow. The 30-year-old two-time All-Star said it happened from sleeping on his arm wrong. He has been hitting and taking ground balls, so it seems like any day now he could return to the field. But for now, rookie Shay Whitcomb will make a fourth straight start at the hot corner and will bat eighth on Tuesday against Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta. Whitcomb, 25, made his big-league debut on Saturday and has gone 3-for-10 with a double, two walks and five strikeouts in his first 12 major-league plate appearances. Bregman hasn't been ruled out for Wednesday's series finale against Boston, but it's more likely he's back on Thursday against Baltimore.

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (elbow), who was ruled out for the weekend series against the Chicago White Sox after he came down with a swollen right elbow, "hit, took ground balls and is asking, 'Put me in coach,'" manager Joe Espada said. However, the Astros held Bregman out for a fourth straight game in Monday's win over the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park. Espada said Bregman also hit in the cages before Monday's contest. The two-time All-Star said on Friday that he slept on his arm "wrong" and had some swelling in the back of his elbow. An MRI exam showed no structural damage, and he stressed it's not an injury that will land him on the injured list. Rookie Shay Whitcomb has made three straight starts at the hot corner in Bregman's absence. Fantasy managers will want to check Houston's lineup on Tuesday to see if Bregman is back in there.