Astros: Meyers, Jones set for rehab assignments in Triple-A

Astros Jake Meyers and Taylor Jones will head to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday and Friday to begin their respective rehab assignments.

The Houston Astros‘ center field conversation grows as Jake Meyers nears a return to Major League Baseball. The 25-year-old underwent shoulder surgery in November following an injury sustained in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, leaving him out for the remainder of the postseason.

Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reported Wednesday Meyers will report to his rehab assignment with the Space Cowboys on Thursday, while utility depth Taylor Jones will report Friday. The two have 20 days for their respective rehab assignments ending June 22.

Meyers recently hit the outfield at the Astros’ spring training facilities in West Palm Beach, Fla., while he and Jones have been taking swings over the last month. Jones is the only of the two currently off the 40-man roster, sitting on the 60-day injured list.

The 40-man is full, and the current bench for the Astros doesn’t hold a spot for Jones while both Aledmys Diaz and Mauricio Dubon do not hold minor-league options. While these two display more versatility, Jones will likely be optioned to Triple A upon return to the 40-man roster.

Jones slashed .378/.368/.649 over 12 games last August, before being placed on the COVID-19 injured list and losing a roster spot once Marwin Gonzalez was signed. For Meyers, the center fielder would bump one of the current platoon pieces to Triple A if the roster looks the same come June 22.

With Dubon’s ability to play center field and Diaz adding depth in left field, the Astros don’t need to roster Jose Siri, Chas McCormick and Meyers, while also not having optimal space to do so. Over a month before the trade deadline, the Astros could explore an early trade to deal away a depth piece rather than designate a current player for assignment once Jones returns.