'It's go time' for Bregman in finale vs. KC

HOUSTON -- The wait is over for Alex Bregman.

The third baseman, who hasn’t played for the Astros since suffering a left quad strain on June 16, will bat sixth against the Royals in his first game back from the injured list. In a corresponding move, the Astros optioned infielder Jacob Wilson to Triple-A Sugar Land.

“Look forward to getting after it with the boys,” Bregman said in a text message to MLB.com on Tuesday. “It’s go time. Big thank you to our trainers and strength and conditioning staff!”

The rehab process was a long and tedious one for Bregman, who appeared to be close to returning earlier this month before being sent back to Triple-A Sugar Land for a second rehab stint. Bregman played in consecutive games on Sunday and Monday, going 3-for-5 for the Skeeters on Monday. He worked out with the Astros on Tuesday, and was given the green light to play.

“It’s great to have him back, man,” shortstop Carlos Correa said. “He’s one of the best players in the game when he’s healthy, and we could not be more happy that he’s back, he’s healthy and he’s feeling great. He’s great to have around the clubhouse. I’m excited to see him back in the lineup tomorrow.”

The Astros activated Kyle Tucker off the injured list on Tuesday -- he tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month -- and will have both Tucker and Bregman in the lineup for the first time since mid-June.

“It would be a tremendous boost,” Baker said. “Also, I mean, in our lineup, you don’t know how you’ve missed him. Here’s a potential MVP-type guy, a big bat in the lineup, and also it frees up [Aledmys] Díaz to pick up Carlos and [Jose] Altuve. It’s a two-fold thing. It makes us better and makes us stronger.”

Bregman was hitting .275/.359/.428 with seven homers and 34 RBIs in 59 games before he suffered his quad injury running the bases against the Rangers in Houston.