Manager Joe Espada told Sportstalk 790 Houston that Tucker (shin) ran the bases and took live batting practice Saturday.
Espada noted that Tucker hit two home runs in live BP and said the outfielder is "getting close" to a return from the 60-day injured list. Tucker cleared a major hurdle by running the bases -- typically one of the final steps before a player is cleared to return to a game setting. Sidelined since early June with a deep bruise of his right shin, Tucker suggested Friday that he's eyeing a return during the team's next homestand, which begins Friday.