Kyle Tucker's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

According to three people briefed on the matter, Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) suffered a fractured shin early on June 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals, which has caused him to miss nearly three months. When asked on Saturday whether Tucker's shin had a fracture, general manager Dana Brown said it did not. Since Tucker went on the injured list, the Astros have called his injury a "deep bruise of the bone" or a "shin contusion." "After several rounds of medical imaging, we suspect there was some type of small fracture," Brown said on Monday. The 27-year-old All-Star slugger has been running at full speed and taking batting practice off minor-league pitchers, though, and accompanied the team to Cincinnati for a three-game series against the Reds that starts on Monday. Brown said on Sunday that Tucker could "potentially" return from the IL on either Wednesday or Thursday without going on a rehab assignment.

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) is reportedly really close to coming off the injured list, according to manager Joe Espada. The 27-year-old hasn't played since the beginning of June due to a lingering shin issue. Tucker has been slowly making progress and appears at the verge of playing for the Astros here soon. The organization has discussed bringing Tucker along for the upcoming three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds. If not, Tucker would likely return for the home series versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. Before going down, Tucker was hitting .266 with 19 home runs and 40 RBI across 60 games. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for more information on Tucker in the coming days.

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin), who took live batting practice on Friday against a minor-league pitcher, provided a long update on his condition and said it's an "option" for him to play in next week's series at Great American Ball Park against the Cincinnati Reds, but he's more likely to return during the next homestand that begins next Friday, Sept. 6. It's possible that Tucker will go on a minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the 60-day injured list, but he prefers not to have one. In addition to taking BP on Friday, the 27-year-old also ran full speed again, although the final box he must check is running the bases at full speed. Tucker has been out somehow since early June with a mere right-shin contusion, but he now has a firm timetable for a return right around the corner. He should not be floating around on any waiver wires.

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) is taking live batting practice against a minor-league pitcher at Minute Maid Park before Friday's game against the Kansas City Royals. The only box left to check for Tucker now is to run the bases full speed. He hasn't played since June 3, when he fouled a ball off his leg and suffered a shin contusion. But as long as Tucker can run the bases at full speed soon, he should return to Houston's starting lineup in early September. When healthy, the 27-year-old left-handed-hitting right fielder is one of the best players in baseball. The former fifth overall pick in 2015 has made the All-Star team each of the last three seasons and was hitting .266 (57-for-214) with 19 home runs, 40 RBI and 10 stolen bases already through just 60 games before his unfortunate injury. He could be a difference-maker the final few weeks of the season for fantasy managers.

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) hasn't been traveling with the team during their road trip through Baltimore and Philadelphia, but he has instead been working out back in Houston. Manager Joe Espada said on Tuesday that Tucker has been sprinting in the outfield, which means he's close to running the bases. The club has said previously that would be his final hurdle before going out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Tucker has been out since June 3 due to a right shin contusion, but this point of progression in his recovery keeps him on track to first resume running the bases and then go out on his assignment sometime in the near future. Fantasy managers can still expect the 27-year-old five-category superstar to make his long-awaited return to the Astros in early September.