Smith (Achilles) threw live batting practice Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

If Smith could be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment in the coming days if he checks out OK. He's been sidelined all season after undergoing surgery on his Achilles in December of 2018, so he figures to require a lengthy rehab stint before returning.

Smith (Achilles) is slated to throw one more bullpen session early next week before embarking on a rehab assignment, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith will join the team in Cincinnati to toss one last bullpen session, and if all goes well, he'll be sent out on a rehab stint. The right-hander is expected to require a lengthy minor-league assignment, considering he's been out of commission since undergoing surgery on his Achilles in December of 2018.

Smith (Achilles) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session this weekend, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith had been limited to throwing bullpen sessions over the previous three weeks, so the fact that he'll be facing hitters over the weekend represents a step forward in his recovery from Achilles surgery. If Smith responds well to the activity, he could soon be cleared to pitch in simulated games at extended spring training.

Manager AJ Hinch said Sunday that Smith (Achilles) will throw another bullpen session within the next few days, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith first resumed throwing off a mound in mid-May, so he's still roughly in a holding pattern with regards to his recovery from the ruptured left Achilles' tendon he sustained back in December. While Smith will need to gradually build up his arm again after the long layoff, the Astros' main concern at this stage is how well the right-hander is able to field his position coming off the serious injury. Until the Astros are comfortable with how he's moving laterally, Smith probably won't be cleared to test himself in a simulated or rehab-game setting.

Smith (Achilles) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith ruptured his left Achilles in December and is still awhile away from returning to game action. He's expected to face hitters at the Astros' spring training complex soon.

Smith threw a bullpen session Tuesday for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair his ruptured left Achilles, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith tossed 20 pitches and reportedly felt good following his throwing session. "I feel like it's February," Smith said. "I feel good. I feel like my body is free. I feel like I'm moving great. I don't feel like my left foot is jamming me up at all." The right-hander is scheduled for another bullpen later in the week and could face live hitters in the near future if that goes well.

Smith (Achilles) went through running drills on the field Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith is still working his way back from offseason Achilles surgery. He remains on target to return in late June or early July.

Smith (Achilles) resumed playing catch about two weeks ago, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

While the activity represents a positive step in Smith's recovery from offseason surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles' tendon, the 35-year-old's timeline to return from the 10-day injured list remains unchanged. The Astros are still optimistic that Smith will be ready for activation at some point in June or July.

The Astros placed Smith (Achilles) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith ruptured his left Achilles' tendon over the winter and isn't expected to be ready to make his 2019 debut until around mid-season at the earliest. With that in mind, the Astros will likely shift Smith to the 60-day IL at some point down the road when the team needs to open up a spot on the 40-man roster.

Smith suffered a ruptured left Achilles' tendon while working out last week. He underwent surgery and is expected to miss 6-to-8 months, Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Unfortunately, Smith will likely miss at least half of the 2019 season following this injury. The right-hander was a reliable presence in the Astros' bullpen last year, logging a 3.74 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 46 strikeouts in 45.2 innings of relief. Zach Britton went down with the same exact injury a year ago and was able to return to the big leagues in the middle of June, so that timeline demonstrates a best-case scenario for Smith moving forward.