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.
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.