Kyle Tucker Injury Update: Astros All-Star's batting stands out amidst recovery but fielding has room for improvement, per manager

Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker is gradually starting to make his return to the field. He was pulled due to the right shin injury on June 3rd, however, he's making some improvements in some light work this Sunday.

Joe Espada has talked about how Tucker has been trying to get some work again on the field, but the strength is not the same. So, Espada believes that Kyle Tucker should focus on recovery and regain his strength on his hits again.

“There’s still not the pushing and the strength that we would like to see, but it’s better,” Espada said. “Today, it was deeper in the outfield, and we went east to west a little bit more. He responded well. But we need to see him do a little bit more of recovering better so we can actually at some point get him on the bases and get him over the hump.”

Until he was taken out of the game, Kyle Tucker was one of the top contenders for the League MVP award. Now, it doesn't seem to be the case as players like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani have played tremendously well during the time he was out.

Dana Brown wants Kyle Tucker to take more time in recovery

The Houston Astros have made a significant comeback in their league rankings. They are just one game behind the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. A series against the Mariners this weekend could potentially put them in the division’s top spot. This seemed improbable a month ago.

As the team ascends the standings, doubts persist about the status of star outfielder Kyle Tucker. He has been sidelined since early June with a right shin injury. Tucker has initiated on-field activities but remains without a definitive return date.

Michael Schwab of USA Today reported that the Astros General Manager Dana Brown has indicated that a minor league rehabilitation stint is what's in front of Tucker before he rejoins the active roster.

"Dana Brown said that there is no timetable on when Kyle Tucker will return but he is doing some slight on-field work. He will definitely need some time in the minors on a rehab assignment," Shwab stated.

Kyle Tucker hasn't been making the progress in the expected time, and it's still painful for the Astros. Since the designated hitter was putting up MVP numbers, and now he's been pushed behind because of this injury.