Paredes return getting close, could provide boost to lineup 

HOUSTON -- Could All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes be close to returning to the Astros’ lineup? Based on comments made by manager Joe Espada prior to Wednesday’s game against the Rangers, it certainly appears to be a growing possibility.

Paredes, who suffered a severe right hamstring strain running the bases July 19 in Seattle, has been working out in West Palm Beach, Fla., for the past two weeks, including taking at-bats, running the bases and fielding ground balls. The Astros open a crucial three-game series Friday against the Mariners.

“I think where he’s at right now, we are in a position where we feel good about it being sooner rather than later,” Espada said. “I think the next day or two will determine when Paredes will be activated.”

The return of Paredes would help the Astros overcome the loss of slugger Yordan Alvarez, who suffered a severe ankle sprain while stepping on home plate Monday and will be out “a while,” according to Espada. The Astros have yet to put Alvarez on the injured list and the team won’t put a firm timetable on how long he might be out.

Paredes, acquired from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade in December, was having a solid year at the plate before he got injured. He was slashing .259/.359/.470 with a team-high 19 homers and 50 RBIs in 94 games and was among the league leaders in walks. He was added to the American League All-Star team to replace Cleveland’s José Ramírez, but skipped the game to deal with “family matters.”

He opted to not have surgery on the hamstring and instead chose to rehab the injury with hopes of helping the Astros down the stretch and in the playoffs.

“We are pleased with the work he’s gotten down [in Florida],” Espada said. “He’s gotten over 14 at-bats and again, it’s all about how he feels and how he’s recovering and how he’s bouncing back. We don’t have that many days left, so we feel good about the amount of work, the quality of work he’s done, that if we decide to activate him, that he’s gotten enough reps we feel good about his production.”

So where would Paredes play if he returns to the lineup? The Astros acquired Carlos Correa from the Twins at the Trade Deadline to play third base and it’s unlikely Paredes would supplant him at the position. The most likely spot for Paredes would be designated hitter, especially with Alvarez being out.

Espada admitted he would want Paredes to limit his running as much as possible when he comes back to avoid another hamstring injury.

“It was a very difficult injury, so we are going to have to wait and see right now,” he said. “He’s checking all the boxes. He felt good. Are we going to be expecting him to be going 100 percent around the bases? I’m going to ask him not to. I’m going to ask him to make sure that he gives the effort that he can give us to stay on the field, but we’re going to have to wait and see when adrenaline kicks where we’re at this time of the season.”

The Astros have lost each of their top three hitters -- Paredes, Alvarez and All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña-- to significant injuries this season. Paredes’ ability to work counts and his pull power have been sorely missed.

“I think with Paredes, we’ve been expecting him to make significant recovery and he’s checking all the boxes,” Espada said. “Our plan was, at some point, to activate him and hopefully if he feels good and we feel good about him being a force for us, we’ll do that. We’ll see the next day or two how Paredes continues to progress.”