Astros general manager Dana Brown said Friday on MLB Network's "MLB Now" that he hopes Tucker (shin) will be able to return in early September.

EDGE Analysis

Brown noted that while Tucker has been upping his baseball activities, the outfielder still feels some soreness in his right leg "when he has to sprint or do anything at a quick pace." Tucker has also not yet run the bases, which he must do before being cleared for a rehab assignment. While a return in early September is possible, Tucker still has some boxes he needs to check before he can make it happen.

Tucker (shin) took batting practice and was involved in outfield drills Monday, but manager Joe Espada said that the outfielder won't be close to heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment until he runs the bases, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker remains limited to jogging for the time being while he recovers from a bone bruise in his right shin, which has kept him on the shelf since July 7. The Astros and fantasy managers alike had initially anticipated a brief absence for Tucker, but he's taken far longer than expected to heal from the shin injury and may now be trending toward a September return from the injured list. At the very least, managers shouldn't plan on Tucker being available for the start of the Astros' two-city road trip, which begins Thursday with a four-game set in Baltimore.

Tucker (shin) rejoined the Astros on Monday and completed an extended workout prior to the team's series opener versus the Rays, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker didn't travel with the team for the first two legs of its road trip, but the Tampa, Fla. native met up with the Astros while they kicked off a three-game series against his hometown squad. The 27-year-old proceeded to turn in a rigorous workout, doing some throwing while also taking part in drills in the outfield that included some short sprints, side-to-side movements and fielding pop flies hit by a fungo bat. Manager Joe Espada came away pleased with how Tucker looked during the workout, but the skipper noted that the outfielder still needs to show more improvement before the Astros are able to map out a rehab assignment for him. Tucker has been on the injured list since June 7 with what general manager Dana Brown has previously described as a deep bruise in his right shin bone, derailing what had been shaping up as a career-best season.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Tucker (shin) seems to have turned a corner in his recovery and is "getting close" to running the bases, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker will meet up with the Astros in Tampa ahead of the team's three-game series against the Rays that begins Monday. He'll presumably get his right shin checked out by team trainers, and if they're satisfied with Tucker's progress, the outfielder could start running the bases again. Because he's been on the shelf since June 7, Tucker will require a rehab assignment or will need to take part in multiple simulated games before the Astros are comfortable activating him from the 60-day injured list. Tucker remains without a precise timeline for being activated, though barring any further setbacks, a return in late August seems within reach.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Tucker (shin) remains unable to sprint but has been jogging without issue, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros seem encouraged by Tucker's recent progress from a right shin contusion, but clearly his return is not imminent if he's not yet able to run at full speed. Tucker will continue to rehab in Houston for now rather than joining the major-league club on the road. He's been sidelined since early June.

The Astros transferred Tucker (shin) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker has already been on the injured list nearly two months due to the right shin contusion, so this transaction won't affect his recovery timeline. GM Dana Brown said last week that he's "optimistic" the outfielder will return from the injured list before September, but there otherwise isn't a clear timeline for his return. Tucker has progressed slowly in his rehab program but has been taking part in batting practice and increasing his on-field work.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that he's "optimistic" Tucker (shin) will return from the 10-day injured list before September, Brian LaLima of SportsTalk 790 Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

The fact that September was even brought up as a potential return date Tucker speaks to how painfully slow he's proceeded through his rehab program for a right shin contusion, an injury he suffered June 3. Tucker has upped his on-field activities in recent days, but manager Joe Espada noted that the outfielder still doesn't have full strength in his leg, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. On a positive note, Espada said Tucker has been feeling good during batting practice, but the 27-year-old will need to be able to play the outfield and run the bases without discomfort before he's ready to rejoin the big club.

Tucker (lower leg) participated in "intense defensive drills" Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker resumed baseball activities this week that have progressed from light to intense. Saturday's update indicates that Tucker could be ready for a rehab assignment in the near future, an expected step in his recovery considering he's been shelved since early June.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said in an interview Thursday on "The Sean Salisbury Show" that Tucker (shin) remains without a timeline for a return from the 10-day injured list, Michael Schwab of The Juice Box Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown added that Tucker is doing some light on-field baseball activities and will require a rehab assignment before being activated. Tucker has been sidelined since early June with a right shin contusion.

Tucker (shin) played catch on the field before Thursday's game against Miami, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thursday marks the first time Tucker has done any sort of work on the field since he landed on the injured list in early June. The 27-year-old outfielder has already been ruled out through the All-Star break, and the fact he has been on the IL for over a month likely means he'll require a minor-league rehab assignment.