Houston Astros outfielder George Springer is on track to begin a rehab assignment this weekend, according to MLB.com.

Springer, 25, has been dealing with a fractured wrist that has kept him out since July 2 after he was drilled by an Edinson Volquez pitch. He’s been taking batting practice the past few days and will play some minor league games before being activated from the DL.

Hinch said Springer will travel to Minnesota with club and take BP on Friday there. Appears he could begin rehab during weekend.

— Brian McTaggart ⚾️ (@brianmctaggart) August 26, 2015

The goal is for the outfielder to be activated at some point next week. His injury was one of the reasons the Astros went out and traded for outfielder Carlos Gomez. Now the AL West-leading Astros will have both Springer and Gomez manning the outfield grass in Houston.

“It’s very encouraging,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch told NBC Sports after Springer’s batting practice. “That’s when it starts to feel real that he’s becoming more and more of an active player, when his normal routine is like any other player on our team. … I’m thrilled with the progress that he’s made.”

Springer has a .264 BA with a .822 OPS, 13 HR, 29 RBI and 14 SB in 75 games this season. When healthy, the young player has showed he’s one of the future stars of the league.

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