Astros' Kyle Tucker returns from IL three months after shin injury that was worse than team let on

Only recently did the Astros acknowledge that Tucker was dealing with a shin fracture

By R.J. Anderson Sep 6, 2024 at 4:19 pm ET• 1 min read

The Houston Astros activated outfielder Kyle Tucker from the 60-day injured list on Friday, clearing the way for him to make his first appearance since June 3. In corresponding moves, the Astros optioned infielder Zach Dezenzo to Triple-A Sugar Land and designated lefty reliever Parker Mushinski to clear a spot on the 40-player roster. (Players on the 60-day IL don't count as part of the 40-player roster.)

Tucker, 27, suffered his injury after fouling a ball off his right shin in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. While the original diagnosis described the ailment as a contusion, Tucker admitted this week that subsequent imaging revealed a fracture.

"After the swelling and everything calmed down, the continued imaging revealed there was a little fracture in my shin," Tucker told MLB's Brian McTaggart. "I just focused on my rehab from there."

The club referred to Tucker's injury as a "deep bone bruise" and a "shin contusion" for the majority of his IL stint. Only this week did general manager Dana Brown reveal to The Athletic that Tucker was recovering from a fracture.