Kyle Tucker Injury Update: Manager Joe Espada not confident about All-Star outfielder's chances to return in August

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker has been on the injured list since June 3 due to a right shin contusion and the latest update isn't very promising. The team placed the outfielder on the 60-day injured list on Tuesday and it seems his expected return by August has hit a snag.

On Saturday, upon being asked about Tucker's return status, manager Joe Espada wasn't too confident in the three-time All-Star returning to the field by the end of August. However, he didn't completely rule it out.

“It’d be great,” Espada said. “But I’m not going to sit here and say that it’s going to happen. It’s kind of day-to-day; see how he feels and how we build him up. But it’d be too aggressive for me to say that we’ll have him by the end of the month. It’s a possibility, but I'm not going to go there.”

Kyle Tucker's recovery status: Joe Espada hopes to make him more active for intense training

MLB: Texas Rangers at Houston Astros - Source: Imagn

According to the Houston Chronicle, Kyle Tucker has yet to start hitting or even running. He's been playing catch and also took some balls in the outfield.

Espada said Tucker is engaged in indoor exercises with a medicine ball but he has still not used his baseball mitt.

“We are having a conversation with him, how we’re going to handle the next couple of weeks,” Espada said. “Because I think he’s getting close for us to kind of push him out there and start doing more active, more intense stuff.”

Tucker was one of the few bright spots in Houston's slow start to the season. Before hitting the injured list, he was hitting .266 to go along with 19 homers, 10 stolen bases and 40 RBIs.

In his absence, other hitters like Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman have shouldered the responsibility, turning around their rough record and getting the club back in postseason contention. The Astros are currently leading the AL West division with a 57-52 record. The Mariners are also tied for the lead with their 58-53 record.

Kyle Tucker's addition will certainly boost the lineup, as the Astros are looking forward to another ALCS appearance.