HOUSTON -- The Astros will send outfielder Josh Reddick to Double-A Corpus Christi for a minimum two-game rehab assignment, manager AJ Hinch said on Saturday. Reddick will join the affiliate on Sunday at Tulsa and will play again Tuesday when the Hooks host the Frisco RoughRiders at Whataburger Field.
Reddick landed on the disabled list retroactive on May 23 with a staph infection near his left knee and has missed the Astros' past 11 games prior to Saturday. A Wednesday return versus the Mariners is most likely, Reddick said, or the ensuing four-game trip to Arlington against the Rangers.
"It's felt great for the last five days," Reddick said. "No pain. Walking was an issue a walk and a half ago. But now, with no issues, there's no limping or anything like that. So it feels great walking around, running, doing baseball activities -- everything feels great."
Reddick hit against a pitching machine on Saturday, one day after taking batting practice for the second consecutive day and advancing his on-field running program.
On Friday during his first time speaking about the sore since the Astros returned from their week-long trip to Cleveland and New York, Reddick said the infection was plenty painful once he hit the DL. The skin ailment even required invasive work to become sterilized. Gauze and tweezers were shoved into the infected limb. Aware of the risk of staph spreading rapidly, Reddick did not travel with the Astros to either series.
"Reddick's doing great," Hinch said. "He's done everything now that we've hoped he could do up to a rehab assignment."
The 31-year-old outfielder was batting .227 over 42 games this season. His rehab appearances on Sunday and Tuesday will be his first in-game action since May 20.
"I think it'll benefit me," Reddick said. "As much as I really don't like traveling, I want to be here with the guys, but I think it'll benefit not only myself but these guys as well in the long run. … We're pretty close now. In my mind, I feel like I could've been back this weekend, but there's no need in rushing back with the way these guys have been playing."
Other injury notes
• Catcher Brian McCann (10-day DL, lingering right knee soreness) hit and did some on-field work on Saturday, which begins his rehab process ahead of schedule, Hinch said.
"Again, we'll have to wait for a while -- whatever the 10 days are going to be," Hinch said. "At that point, we'll determine whether he's going to play or not or if he'll just rejoin us. Progress is always good when you're doing something sooner than the DL stint."
• The Astros activated outfielder Derek Fisher from the 10-day disabled list (gastrointestinal discomfort) Saturday night and optioned him to Triple-A Fresno.
Fisher hit for the cycle on Friday during a rehab assignment with Fresno.
"I think he's feeling great at the plate, based on the cycle," Hinch said Saturday afternoon.