Kyle Tucker is still being evaluated for a shin contusion. Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images.
Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker gave the fanbase a big scare on Monday night when he injured himself fouling a ball off his right shin. Tucker was forced to leave the game and was seen on crutches following the club's win over the Cardinals.
Tucker said the X-rays came back negative, and he would receive further evaluation from doctors on Tuesday, per The Athletic's Chandler Rome.
Kyle Tucker needed crutches to get around the Astros’ clubhouse, but said X-rays were negative and nothing is broken. He expects to undergo more tests tomorrow.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 4, 2024
Astros manager Joe Espada gave an update on Tucker Tuesday afternoon on the club's flagship station.
Astros manager Joe Espada tells @SportsMT that Kyle Tucker is not in today's lineup and that he is "still day to day." Tucker will see doctors today to make sure everything is OK, but Espada said he is feeling better.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 4, 2024
Tucker is considered “day to day” and will not be playing in Tuesday night's game against the Cardinals. It's good news for the Astros that Tucker hasn't already been placed on the Injured List. But clearly they're not out of the woods yet. Tucker is still being evaluated.
Houston was clearly preparing to be without Tuck for at least a game or two, as they called up outfielder Trey Cabbage and sent down infielder Grae Kessinger.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVE:
The Astros have recalled OF Trey Cabbage from Triple A Sugar Land today. He takes the roster spot of IF Grae Kessinger, who was officially optioned to Triple A after last night’s game.
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 4, 2024
Cabbage gives the Astros another outfielder and a left-handed bat off the bench should the club need to pinch hit. Plus, Cabbage has speed should the team need to pinch run. He provides plenty of athleticism should Espada need it on the base paths, as Jose Abreu and Jon Singleton are station to station players.
Cabbage has 14 at-bats with the Astros this year, with 3 hits and 3 RBIs.
Mauricio Dubon is starting in right field for Tucker.
🍝
⚾️: 7:10pm
🏟️: Closed
📺: @SpaceCityHN
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#Relentless x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/3qQQemOsmQ
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 4, 2024
What could really be motivating Houston Astros blockbuster trade report
Jun 27, 2024, 6:24 pm
It's no secret, the Houston Astros are on a hot streak and have evened their record at 40-40 after winning seven straight games. But there's always room for improvement, and Astros GM Dana Brown has said repeatedly that the club will be buyers at the trade deadline.
Just this week, Astros insider Michael Schwab posted that Houston has interest in trading for Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., according to sources.
The Astros have identified Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as one of their top targets for a trade, per sources.
It will take a lot to land a player like him, who will be a free agent in 2026, but he would bring a big bat and solve the first base problem.
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) June 26, 2024
And Schwab has been right about these things before. He was the first to report that the Rangers were trading for Max Scherzer last season.
But this report made us wonder, should upgrading first base be the team's top priority? The club is down to four starting pitchers, and Mauricio Dubon has done a decent job at first since the departure of Jose Abreu.
Plus, dealing with the Blue Jays could get tricky, with former Astros GM James Click in Toronto's front office. We highly doubt he's looking to help the Astos after Jim Crane allegedly pushed him out the door after the 2022 World Series winning season.
And let's not forget, teams like the Yankees have deeper farm systems that could provide the Blue Jays with a bigger haul than Houston. The Astros at a minimum would likely have to trade away a quality prospect or two and player on the roster like Jake Meyers or Chas McCormick.
Oh, and we haven't even discussed the money. Guerrero Jr. is making about $20 million this year, and is under contract next season as well. A move like this would push the Astros over the second luxury tax threshold in all likelihood.
Pitching wins championships
The Astros currently have seven pitchers on the IL, and Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers aren't expected back for another month at the earliest. Justin Verlander is also dealing with a neck injury, with no timetable set for his return.
Not to mention, Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco have never thrown more than 125 innings in any professional season, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome.
Which is why we wouldn't be surprised if the interest in Guerrero is a smoke screen, and the Astros are really focused on adding pitching. However, it is fun to imagine him in the middle of the Astros lineup.
Finally, it may be time to have a discussion about how quickly the Astros are bringing pitchers back from injury. Dana Brown has admitted they may have rushed JP France back a little too soon. He, too, is done for the season and expected to have shoulder surgery next week.
This leads us to question if the season-ending injuries to Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy could have been prevented.
Be sure to watch the video above as we break it all down!
*Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. And be on the lookout for bonus episodes on Thursdays!
