Injuries & Moves: Tucker 'progressing a bit faster'; JV playing catch

Injuries & Moves: Tucker 'progressing a bit faster'; JV playing catch

July 2nd, 2024

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July 2: OF (right shin contusion) progressing with cage work
After taking a bit longer than expected to bounce back from the right shin contusion that led to an IL stint on June 7 (retroactive to June 4), Tucker "actually turned a corner" while hitting in the cage on Monday, manager Joe Espada said prior to Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays.

The hope is that Tucker will do some on-field work during the Astros' four-game series that wraps up on Thursday at Rogers Centre.

"The swings he took yesterday were actually pretty good," Espada said. "I felt like he actually turned a corner when it comes to who's working the cage. ... The speed of the last couple of days is actually progressing a bit faster than we've [seen earlier]."

July 2: RHP (neck stiffness) playing catch
Verlander, who has been on the injured list since June 18 (retroactive to June 16), has been on the injured list since June 16, is playing catch at a distance of 60 feet. He wasn't with the Astros for their series against the Blue Jays in Toronto, which started on Monday, but returning to light throwing is good news for a club that's been hit hard by pitching injuries in the first half.

According to manager Joe Espada, the Astros aren't ready to put a timetable on Verlander's return.

July 1: RHP (right shoulder discomfort) returns to mound
Bloss could be an option to start for the Astros during their homestand that begins on July 9, manager Joe Espada said ahead of the series opener in Toronto on Monday.

The right-hander, who threw 20 pitches on Sunday in New York in his first bullpen session since he landed on the injured list June 21, "walked away with a smile on his face," according to Espada. Bloss had played catch for a couple of days previously. He is eligible to come off the IL on July 7.

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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

OF (right shin contusion)
Expected return: July
Tucker was placed on the injured list on June 7, retroactive to June 4, after he fouled a ball off his right shin on June 3. He has been hitting off a batting tee and running on a treadmill, and manager Joe Espada said on July 2 that Tucker "turned a corner" with his work in the cage on July 1.

The Astros are hopeful that Tucker could do some on-field work during the series that ends on July 4 in Toronto, though it's likely Tucker will still need a Minor League rehab assignment before returning. (Last updated: July 2)

RHP (neck stiffness)
Expected return: Early-to-mid July
Verlander, who was scratched from his June 15 start against the Tigers, initially felt as though he would be able to avoid a stint on the injured list, but was placed on the IL (retroactive to June 16). The right-hander returned to playing catch at a distance of 60 feet in early July, but manager Joe Espada didn't immediately provide a timetable for Verlander's return. (Last updated: July 2)

RHP (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: July 9-14 homestand
Bloss, who landed on the IL after injuring his shoulder in his Major League debut on June 21, threw a bullpen session on June 30 and "walked away with a smile on his face," according to manager Joe Espada. The club believes he should be able to return shortly after his 15-day minimum on the IL is over.

Espada said on July 1 that Bloss could be an option to start against Miami and Texas in the homestand that begins on July 9. (Last updated: July 1)

C (left hip flexor strain)
Expected return: After All-Star break
Caratini started running and throwing while rehabbing in Houston, manager Joe Espada said on June 30. Caratini is set to join the team during its series at Minneapolis on July 5-7, when he'll continue his rehab, a step that could include batting practice on the field.

Caratini, who sustained his injury sliding into home plate on June 20 in Chicago, was facing about a four-week recovery, according to the team. That timetable puts his return around the All-Star Game, but likely after. He was slashing .248/.287/.429 with four homers and 17 RBIs in 115 plate appearances as the Astros’ backup catcher. (Last updated: June 30)

60-DAY INJURED LIST

RHP Luis Garcia (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Late July
Garcia, who has been out since May 2023, is expected to go two innings and around 35 pitches when he makes his second rehab start at Double-A Corpus Christi on July 4. He began his rehab on June 28 by throwing 12 pitches in one scoreless inning in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League.

Garcia struck out two batters and didn't allow a hit or a walk. He averaged 92.7 mph with his four-seam fastball. Garcia won 26 games for the Astros from 2021-22. (Last updated: July 2)

RHP (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Ortega on June 26 underwent a second surgery in a span of a few months. He had a bone spur removed, putting him out for the rest of the season. Ortega, who has yet to pitch for the Astros in the regular season, had surgery in March to remove loose bodies in his right elbow. He joined the Astros after being claimed off waivers from the Twins on Oct. 25 and appeared in two Grapefruit League games. (Last updated: June 28)

RHP (right forearm surgery)
Expected return: August
McCullers threw a 25-pitch bullpen session June 22, followed by a one-inning simulated game in the bullpen of 10-15 pitches. McCullers is throwing all his pitches and is over 90 mph with his velocity. He's in line to return to competitive baseball somewhere in the 13-15-month window from the surgery he had last June to repair his flexor tendon and remove a bone spur. (Last updated: June 22)

RHP (right shoulder labral surgery )
Expected return: Maybe September, likely 2025
Graveman, acquired by the Astros for the second time at last year’s Trade Deadline, posted a 2.42 ERA in 23 appearances for Houston in August and September, but he didn’t pitch in the playoffs because of right shoulder discomfort.

Graveman underwent season-ending surgery in January to repair a torn labrum and clean out his rotator cuff. He's started a throwing program with the remote chance to return at the end of the season. (Last updated: June 21)

RHP (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: August
Murfee, claimed off waivers on March 27 from the Braves, has progressed to throwing in the bullpen (no sliders) and hopes to progress to facing hitters soon. He underwent UCL surgery in 2023. (Last updated: June 21)

RHP (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Javier underwent Tommy John surgery on June 6, ending his 2024 season. He was unable to throw a scheduled bullpen session due to right forearm discomfort and was placed on the IL on May 27 for the second time this season. He was previously on the IL from April 21 to May 11 with neck discomfort.

The right-hander was 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA in seven starts with the Astros this year, including three quality starts. Javier was moved to the 60-day IL on June 16. (Last updated: June 16)

RHP (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Urquidy underwent Tommy John surgery on June 5. He was pulled out of his May 24 rehab start at Triple-A after experiencing right forearm inflammation. (Last updated: June 7)

LHP (left shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Sousa was headed towards a spot on Houston's Opening Day roster before what he described as an inflamed nerve sent him to the IL to begin the season. Sousa said he experienced some numbness and soreness in his hand and "tried to grind through it."

Sousa underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome on April 3 and was shut down for the season. (Last updated: April 6)

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