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

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Sunday that "there is nothing new to report" about outfielder Kyle Tucker's (shin) progress back in Houston after he didn't accompany the team on their two-city, seven-game road trip. General manager Dana Brown remains bullish that Tucker could return in the first week of September, but September starts in six days, and Espada confirmed that Tucker is still not sprinting at full speed, nor has he tested himself running the bases. Until he does, a minor-league rehab assignment won't be realistic. Brown has already said Tucker will have to manage some amount of pain upon his return, so fantasy managers that have been waiting all this time for Tucker's return shouldn't just expect him to return to his All-Star self. That Tucker continues to take batting practice and throw without issues is encouraging, though.

The Houston Astros are hoping to have outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) back in early September, general manager Dana Brown said on Friday on MLB Network. To put it lightly, fantasy managers have been extremely perplexed as to why Tucker has been out since early June with a shin bruise. Brown said that Tucker has been increasing his baseball activities lately, but the 27-year-old still feels soreness in his right leg "when he has to sprint or do anything at a quick pace." He is going to need to run the bases before the Astros give Tucker the green light to start a minor-league rehab assignment, so if he can't run the bases soon, Tucker's absence could stretch into the middle of June. Fantasy managers shouldn't outright drop one of the best players in the game (when healthy), but he's also running out of time to make an impact.

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) took batting practice on the field again on Monday and continued to do drills in the outfield. Tucker is jogging, but manager Joe Espada has said previously that Tucker won't be getting close to a minor-league rehab assignment until he can run the bases, which he has yet to do. Fantasy managers have to be wondering why Tucker has missed so much time -- he went on the 10-day injured list on June 7 with a right-shin contusion. At the time of his injury, his .979 OPS was fourth in baseball behind Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Marcell Ozuna, and he also ranked second in the American League in walks (46) and third in slugging (.584). He is the third player in franchise history with at least 19 homers in the team's first 59 games. It might not be until September until we see Tucker again, but he needs to be stashed in all fantasy formats.

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) is doing on-field work at Tropicana Field on Monday before the contest against the hosting Tampa Bay Rays that includes crow-hop throws, short distance, side-to-side explosive movements, some jogging and taking fly balls in left field. It's the most that Tucker has done at any point since he went on the injured list in early June with a shin contusion. Manager Joe Espada said on Sunday that Tucker appears to have turned a corner in his recovery and is "getting close" to running the bases. It's been extremely frustrating for Tucker's fantasy managers, but the 27-year-old left-handed slugger could be getting close to going on a minor-league rehab assignment and could finally rejoin the Astros at the end of August or early September. Despite all the time missed, Tucker needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues.

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said that outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) is doing "limited baseball activity" and is "coming along really well." Tucker has been out since early June after fouling a pitch off his shin and was moved to the 60-day injured list last Tuesday. It's been extremely frustrating for fantasy managers because of the fact that the Astros all along have said the 27-year-old All-Star is merely dealing with a contusion to his right leg. Houston is optimistic that Tucker will return to the team before September, but there's no specific timeline for his return outside of that. All fantasy managers can do is continue to stash him and hope he can pick up where he left off in the first half of the season. Tucker is one of the best overall fantasy assets when healthy and was hitting .266/.395/.584 with a .979 OPS, 19 homers, 40 RBI and 10 steals at the time of his injury.