Astros 'taking the long view' on Bregman

Third baseman making progress but not returning in the coming days

August 21st, 2021

HOUSTON -- Following his first rehab game for Triple-A Sugar Land in nearly two weeks, Alex Bregman was back on the field at Minute Maid Park. The reunion with the Astros, however, won’t be a long one. 

Bregman, who is working his way back from a quad strain that has sidelined him for more than two months, will be back with the Skeeters on Sunday, general manager James Click confirmed, for another rehab game. The third baseman went 2-for-4 with a single and a home run for the Skeeters on Friday. 

Bregman’s schedule beyond Sunday, or his timetable for activation from the injured list, has not yet been decided. He went through a series of drills before the Astros’ game with the Mariners on Saturday, including fielding ground balls at third base and taking a couple of rounds of batting practice.

“It’s just a chance to get a look at him, get him around the guys,” Click said. “It’s a scheduled off-day for him, anyway. It’s part of the convenience about having Sugar Land only a few miles away. Bring him back here, get him with the fellas, with the Major League trainers.”

There was some confusion earlier in the day due to a social media post suggesting Bregman will be activated from the IL as early as Sunday or Monday.

Bregman said discussions have not gotten that far.

“I’m feeling great, getting work done today,” Bregman said. “Overall, everything’s good. Moving in the right direction, have been the entire time.

“It’s a difficult injury to come back from. I have amazing trainers and strength coaches here that have really dedicated a lot to making sure I'm healthy and fully healthy when I recover. I’m super thankful for them.”

Click said Bregman has been “adamant” about being ready to come off the IL, but the GM also added that the club is “taking the long view on this.”

‘The priority is not getting back as soon as possible for right now, the priority is making sure this is 100 percent behind him so that he can play at his normal 110 percent that he plays for the next month and a half and hopefully, beyond that,” Click said. “That’s the priority."