Fowler could be activated later this week

ARLINGTON -- Astros center fielder Dexter Fowler, who's been on the disabled list since June 27 with a right intercostal strain, rejoined the club Monday at Globe Life Park and began some light hitting in the cage with hopes of being activated later this week.

Fowler, who is eligible to come off the disabled list Saturday against the Red Sox, said he hadn't done any baseball drills in the last four days after getting a platelet-rich plasma injection into the affected area.

"They actually planned that, even before right when I told them when my injury was," Fowler said. "I was like, 'Well, we'll wait a few days to see how it feels,' and obviously it feels better now. I haven't really done anything but sit there and relax."

The Astros have struggled offensively without Fowler, who was hitting .270 with six homers, 24 RBIs and a .377 on-base percentage when he got injured. If he's able to play on Saturday, the Astros plan on activating him, even though it would mean he would play in just two games prior to the All-Star break.

"Whenever he's ready to go, we're going to get him back in the lineup," manager Bo Porter said. "If it's one or two games, every game is important. The only reason we decided to put him on the disabled list is we know he wasn't going to be ready in four or five days."