Astros' Bregman to return Wednesday after 2-month absence

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker revealed star third baseman Alex Bregman will play versus the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, according to Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle.

Bregman has been sidelined since June 17 due to a strained left quadriceps.

In 262 plate appearances prior to injury, the two-time All-Star got on base at a .359 clip with a .787 OPS, hitting seven home runs and 14 doubles. He was slotted third in the batting order in all but four of his games this year.

Despite the star hitter's absence, the Astros close in on September with a 74-52 (.587) record, good for tops in the AL West, tied with the New York Yankees for the second-best record in the American League. Only the 78-48 (.619) Tampa Bay Rays have won games at a higher rate on the Junior Circuit.