Astros: Alex Bregman’s return could be imminent

Although the Astros are looking to be more complete, more injury flurries have hit the shelf.

While the Houston Astros evaluated the statuses of Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, only Tucker was activated from the 10-day injured list, as the left-handed slugger tested positive for the COVID-19 although fully vaccinated.

As a corresponding move, Chas McCormick was placed on the 10-day IL, while dealing with hand soreness. The outfielder has been out of the starting lineup since Saturday, granting more centerfield starts to Jake Meyers.

Although Tucker is out of the starting nine on Tuesday, Bregman will also be out of another lineup, as he won’t return to the Sugar Land Skeeters on Tuesday night. The right-hander has shown frustration on social media with how his injury has been handled, but we could anticipate Bregman back by the end of the week.

While eyeing a return in the next two days, Bregman would easily replace infielder Jacob Wilson on the active roster, while he would be optioned to Triple-A. Rosters expand to 28 players on September 1, which is the date that McCormick is eligible to be activated. If fully healthy by the end of the month, the Astros will not need to option anyone to bring back McCormick.

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Wilson has started to pick up a hot bat, after a weekend consisting of two extra-base hits against Seattle. But with Robel Garcia and Wilson not showing consistent seasons, the idea of possibly promoting a minor-leaguer to the 40-man roster or adding a free agent like Marwin Gonzalez shouldn’t be off the table.

To make room for another 40-man infielder, Garcia or Wilson could see a DFA or possibly Pedro Baez could fall to the 60-day IL again.

In regards to the pitching staff, Baez, who has struggled with velocity, is back on the injured list with an undisclosed reason, while Bryan Abreu was recalled from Triple-A. Josh James, who hasn’t allowed a run in his last seven innings with the Skeeters, has yet to see the majors in 2021. Also, Jose Urquidy will hit the bump for the Skeeters on Tuesday, as his return to the active roster inches closer.