Major League Baseball

Phenom Preston Tucker joining Astros as George Springer hits concussion DL

Published May. 7, 2015 1:32 a.m. ET

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With outfielder George Springer being placed on the 7-day concussion disabled list after his sprawling catch in Tuesday night's loss to the Texas Rangers, the Houston Astros have filled his spot on the roster with one of their much-heralded prospects.

The team announced on Wednesday evening that outfielder Preston Tucker will accompany the team in Anaheim, where they will open a four-game set on Thursday night.

Tucker, 24, was selected by Houston in the 2012 draft and had been tearing up Triple-A Fresno this season. In 111 plate appearances spread across 25 games, Tucker slashed .320/.378/.650 with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs, as well as posting a wOBA of .439 and a 169 wRC+ (for the sabermetrically-minded). 

The Crawfish Boxes notes that Tucker has mostly spent time in left field, so it seems feasible for Colby Rasmus to slide over to right field to facilitate the rookie's arrival. 

As for Springer, his prognosis is unclear at the moment as team doctors will monitor his progress in order to determine just how long he should be out.

Manager A.J. Hinch told Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle that he isn't certain what Tucker's role will be...yet:

For an organization boasting as many can't-miss prospects as Houston, Tucker's arrival is worth paying attention to - even if it comes at the temporary expense of Springer.

(h/t Houston Chronicle)

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