The Astros recalled outfielder Jake Marisnick from Triple-A Fresno and optioned top outfield prospect Kyle Tucker to Fresno on Wednesday. Marisnick joined the club for Wednesday's series finale against the Mariners at Safeco Field and started in center field.
"I've been feeling good for a little bit now," Marisnick said. "I was able to go down and get everyday at-bats and keep that feeling going and having good results."
Marisnick started the season on the big league club but has been sent to the Minor Leagues twice after struggling at the plate. He's batting .192 with seven homers and 19 RBIs in 71 games for the Astros this year, but he brings elite defense in the outfield. Marisnick has hit .323 in 17 games at Fresno this year.
Tucker, the No. 8 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline, batted .156 (7-for-45) in 16 games since being called up for his Major League debut on July 7. He was hitting .306/.371/.520 with 14 homers with 66 RBIs in 80 games at Triple-A prior to his big league promotion.
"Jake had done his part in Triple-A and had gone down and played well," Hinch said. "He hit well and got a lot of at-bats. Tucker was starting to find his way out of the lineup more than not. From a development purpose, we really need Tucker to play every day. Tough call when you have a young player with the potential that Tucker has. We feel like it was better for him to go down and play and continue to develop and take the lessons he learned while he was here and come back soon."
Hinch said he hopes Tucker will be back in September when rosters are expanded.