HOUSTON — The Astros have been missing one of the biggest bats in their lineup since early June and we’re finally finding out why.
Right fielder Kyle Tucker fouled a ball off his shin on June 3 in the Astros game against the Cardinals and has been out ever since. The team has maintained the injury was a contusion, but a report surfaced Monday in The Athletic that Tucker’s injury was actually a fracture.
Tucker confirmed the news in a postgame interview Monday with Space City Home Network.
“After swelling and everything kind of calmed down, it was revealed there was a fractured in my shin,” Tucker said. “Obviously, it's been a little while and I free pretty good right now, a lot more running, getting my legs under me. A lot more at-bats."
At this point, it’s not clear when the team knew about the fracture, but his rehab has been ramping up and he said he could join the lineup within days.
The Astros have a six-game lead over the Mariners in the American League West.
