Astros outfielder Jason Michaels will begin a rehab assignment with the Oklahoma City RedHawks on Saturday as he begins his comeback from a subluxation in his left shoulder. Per MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart, Michaels took batting practice Thursday afternoon and declared himself ready to go:
“The more at-bats I get, the better,” he said. “But it felt good today.”
Most of Michaels at-bats have gone to Jason Bourgeois, who has been a revelation for the Astros in his limited time so far, hitting .391 with 11 stolen bases in just 49 plate-appearances. Even when Michaels does get back, he may find his playing time dip due to just how impressive Bourgeois has been for Houston.
Outfielder Brian Bogusevic will likely be the odd man out whenever Michaels is ready to return to the team. There is still no timetable for Michaels’ return, but the club took it easy on Clint Barmes when he was working his way back from injury, so it might be a week or so before Michaels is activated.