Reddick needs extra time to prepare for return
Eligible to be activated Friday, Astros OF (skin infection) may need to go on rehab assignment first
NEW YORK -- Astros outfielder Josh Reddick, who's been on the disabled list for a week with a skin infection above his left knee, will be out of action longer than the 10-day minimum, manager AJ Hinch said prior to Monday's game against the Yankees.
Reddick, who went on the DL on Wednesday (retroactive to May 20), is eligible to return Friday against the Red Sox, but Hinch said Reddick isn't doing any baseball drills yet and hinted he may need a Minor League rehab assignment, considering the length of time he's been dormant.
"He's seeing doctors every day and getting treatment every day, but he's not doing any baseball activities," he said. "I know it's going to push his return back, because the more days he spends not doing any baseball the more we're going to have to build him back up with a potential rehab assignment."
Hinch said Reddick is day to day until the doctors clear him to do more activity. The cause of the infection has been identified, but Hinch left it up to Reddick to disclose that information.
"It's a long process to get him healthy," Hinch said.
Reddick is hitting .227 with six homers and 18 RBIs through 42 games.
Meanwhile, Hinch said outfielder Derek Fisher, who's been on the DL since May 19 with gastrointestinal discomfort, will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Fresno. Fisher was hitting .176 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 36 games with the Astros this year.