44 Justin Maxwell, CF

The Astros activated outfielder Justin Maxwell from the disabled list Monday night following a loss to Chicago, the Houston Chronicle reports. Maxwell returns to the roster as Jimmy Paredes gets optioned to Triple-A.

Maxwell, who has been out since April 23 with a fractured left hand, is expected to play right field in his return in Tuesday's game against Milwaukee.

Justin Maxwell is not a lock to start in center field for the Astros when he returns from the disabled list, MLB.com reports.

"I'm going to say that he will start. I'm not going to say it will be at center field," manager Bo Porter told MLB.com Friday. "Brandon Barnes has done a great job there. He will warrant some continued playing time in center. That's why we've had Maxwell play some places beside center field [during his rehab assignment]. It gives us the luxury of having the option for both guys."

Maxwell, who has been out since April 23, is recovering from a fractured left hand.

Houston outfielder Justin Maxwell has not played well during his rehab with Double-A Corpus Christi, the Houston Chronicle reports Monday. 

The Astros centerfielder has yet to record a hit over 17 at-bats and has struck out eight times. The 29-year-old went 0 for 4 Sunday and was scratched from Monday's game due to an illness. 

Maxwell has been dealing with food poisoning for several days and was unavailable for comment. 

"He’s having trouble making contact," Hooks manager Keith Bodie said postgame Sunday. "He’s obviously missed a lot of baseball and whatever spring training preparation he had going on at the beginning of the season has been negated by his injury. Hitting is timing and his timing is not there."

Astros outfielder Justin Maxwell went hitless in his second rehab start. 

Maxwell is playing at Double-A Corpus Christi and went 0 for 4 Wednesday. Manager Bo Porter said Maxwell's performance will not impact when he returns to the team, according to MLB.com. "For me, it's more about the health on consecutive days," Porter said. He added "Yeah, you might be able to swing the bat well one day, but I want to know how it feels the next day and then after three to four days in a row." 

Maxwell is 0 for 7 during his rehab assignment. He hasn't played since April 23 after fracturing his left hand. Maxwell hit .234/.289/.390 in 77 at-bats for the Astros this season.