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.
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.