Astros may activate Correa from IL on Tuesday

KANSAS CITY -- The Astros' roster is nearing full health and manager AJ Hinch said he cannot wait to once again have full use of his squad.

Houston continues to receive good news on slugger Carlos Correa, along with right-handers Brad Peacock and Ryan Pressly, as the club continues its push toward the postseason.

“To me it’s a good sign,” Hinch said. “I’ll feel a ton better when we get the full group together and finish out the season.”

Correa, who has been out because of back discomfort since Aug. 20, plans to continue his rehab with the Astros when the team opens a homestand on Tuesday against the Rangers. Hinch said Correa texted him recently, saying everything was going great.

Hinch also said Correa, who had been playing with Triple-A Round Rock in the playoffs until the Express were eliminated, is staying in town on Sunday to take batting practice. If that goes well and Correa checks out when the staff evaluates him on Monday in Houston, the Astros will activate him off the injured list on Tuesday.

“It will be borderline like a Spring Training schedule with in-season responsibilities,” Hinch said. “He may play six innings and come out, even if it’s not a blowout.”

Pressly, trying to come back from right knee discomfort that put him out of action on Aug. 21, pitched a strong side session on Saturday and he could be activated during the next homestand. His return would give Hinch some peace of mind about his bullpen.

“Pressly is firing bullets,” Hinch said. “He’s reaching every milestone with relative ease and we’re going to keep challenging him. We’re going to get him home and into a live BP session, and then a game. I am excited where he’s at. I don’t want to jinx it, I don’t want to put too much in front of him, but every test that we’re giving him, he’s answering with flying colors.”

Hinch said Peacock is feeling great about the right shoulder discomfort that has put him on the shelf repeatedly in recent seasons. Peacock said he felt good after a 20-pitch bullpen session on Friday at Kauffman Stadium.

“Peacock is bouncing around here probably as happy and outspoken as he’s been in five years,” Hinch said. “He’s literally thrilled that he thinks we’ve kind of conquered this soreness he’s had.”

As the final weeks of the regular season wind down, the Astros could be as healthy as they have been in all of 2019.

"I was just talking with [Royals manager Ned Yost] about how nice it is to have my full team back,” Hinch said.