Kyle Tucker Update: Joe Espada shares positive news on Astros All-Star slugger's injury recovery

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada shared some positive updates on All-Star slugger Kyle Tucker's condition. The player has been sidelined since June but is nearing a possible comeback.

Tucker suffered a shin contusion in June after getting hit by a ball and has been on the IL for the past three months.

"He's been sending us videos every day about his work, and he's actually running in the outfield, doing sprints," Espada said on Tuesday. "I can call them sprints now because he's getting to 50-60 percent max effort. He's actually looking really, really good. I think in the next couple of days we'll see if he can get on the bases.”

Tucker started this season strong. He played 60 games before the injury, hitting .266, with an OPS of .979, 19 home runs and 40 RBIs.

---

Astros GM Dana Brown shares possible return date for Kyle Tucker as player nears full recovery

Astros general manager Dana Brown shared a possible return date for Kyle Tucker.

"I'm hoping that some point the first week of September, it could be post-Labor Day," Brown said. "I really feel like he can get back this first week of September. I feel like he's a lot closer than we think. This is the type of injury where once you start to feel good, it's just a matter of getting your legs and your wind back. He's hitting balls in the upper deck in batting practice, by the way."

The team has surged ever since the All-Star break, and the Astros (70-61 after beating the Philadelphia Phillies 10-0 on Wednesday) lead the AL West. As the business end of the season approaches, with just a bit over a month left in the regular season, getting Tucker back could boost the team's postseason hopes.