Injured Houston Astros batter could go on road trip with team

Injured Houston Astros slugger Kyle Tucker took part in live batting practice for the second time in three days at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, hitting hits against former major league starter Glenn Otto before their game against the Kansas City Royals.

Otto was recently signed by the Astros and is headed to Triple-A Sugar Land. The Houston native was formerly with the Texas Rangers. According to MLB.com, Tucker once placed one of Otto's throws in the top deck.

Tucker faced a real pitcher for the first time in two months a few days ago, but his swing seemed more powerful on Sunday. He has been recovering from a bruised right shin since June.

That was enough to encourage manager Joe Espada, and he told MLB.com and other reporters that they are considering taking Tucker with them to Cincinnati, where an away tour begins Monday. Espada said Tucker is “very close” to returning.

That doesn't necessarily mean Tucker will be activated anytime soon. While he's participating in live batting practice and running sprints, he hasn't reached all the bases yet, which is traditionally the last milestone a hitter must reach before either beginning a rehab program or being activated again.

It's not clear when Tucker will do that. He told reporters this weekend that he's been running sprints at about 75% and even said he can play now, but he knows he's potentially risking re-injury.

Tucker described himself as an “option” to return to Cincinnati, and now that seems like a possibility. But he also said it's more likely he could be ready for the next home game, which begins Sept. 10.

He suffered the injury on June 3 when he hit a baseball in the shin. At the time, the Astros hoped Tucker wouldn't even go on the injured list. But a few days later, he needed crutches to keep weight off the injury, and Houston placed him on the 10-day IL.

Two weeks ago, there was optimism in Tampa about Tucker's recovery because of a workout in Tampa Bay. During that workout, he caught fly balls in left field, jogged, ran explosively from side to side and over short distances, and also made crow hop throws.

When the 27-year-old right fielder went on the injured list, he had a batting average of .266/.395/.584/.979 with 19 home runs and 40 RBI. At the time, his OPS of .979 was fourth-best in the major leagues behind Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Marcell Ozuna. He was 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.