HOUSTON -- Outfielder George Springer is getting healthier, and he ran through a handful of agility drills and sprinted on Wednesday for the first time since hitting the disabled list on July 25 with discomfort in his left quad after his spike was caught in soggy grass in Philadelphia the day before.
"I've been doing everything you can think of to get myself back," Springer said. "The goal is to come back and help the team. We did buildups [on Wednesday] for the first time. It's a good starting point. When I feel right and 100 percent, I'll go back out there."
Though Springer is eligible to be activated on Friday, manager A.J. Hinch said on Tuesday that a return on that day is unlikely.

Springer has been swinging a bat routinely while on the DL and said he feels "OK" when asked about any lingering pain or soreness, and he participated in batting practice on the field for the first time on Wednesday before the Astros played the Rays in the third game of their four-game series.

"Yeah, I've actually been hitting just to stay in shape and stay in there," said Springer, who leads the Astros in home runs, with 27, and trails Carlos Correa's team-high 67 RBIs by only one.
"I'm looking forward to getting back out there. I feel OK. It's a good step. I'm happy about it, so I'll take it."