--RHP Doug Brocail, on the disabled list with a rotator cuff strain, threw a bullpen session Monday afternoon using all his pitches three days after having a similar session with all fastballs.

Barring a setback, he'll go on a rehab assignment at Class AAA Round Rock on Friday.

"Everything went good," he said. "So I got live (batting practice) on Wednesday and I got a game at Round Rock on Friday. One game. We'll see how it goes. If I need more time, then I'll need more time. I think I'm due off on (Sunday)."

--RHP Brandon Backe, who likely will go on a rehab start this weekend or early next, passed another test with a bullpen session Monday.

"Today was just a light bullpen to get myself off the mound in between simulated games," he said. "I literally took it as a light bullpen. I threw a lot of pitches just to work on things to make sure that I'm in sync with throwing the ball toward the plate at a downward angle at the bottom of the zone.

"I took today just to work on location and perfecting the pitching not more so just testing out the side. I think testing out the side is over with except for just pushing it to three innings, 60-something pitches on Wednesday."

--2B Kaz Matsui, who missed five consecutive starts with back stiffness, was in the starting lineup Monday night for the first time in a week.

--With Matsui back, Cecil Cooper put the Japanese second baseman in the leadoff spot and pushed Michael Bourn back into the eighth spot. Bourn started the season hitting .318 (7-for-22) out of the No. 8 spot in the lineup, but he hit .167 (3-for-18) in the leadoff spot after Matsui was hurt.

"I wrote about six, seven lineups and finally decided on (this)," Cooper said. "He flourished, I thought, down at the bottom. I'll put him back there and see what happen. ... I think it takes a little pressure not to be the guy to get on base and create stuff and all that. I thought earlier in the year that's what he did and did a good job at it."

--RF Hunter Pence batted with the bases loaded for the fourth time this season and struck out for the fourth time.

"We still haven't gotten the big hit," said Pence. "I've had a lot of opportunities. I think everyone has.

"Once again we didn't get it done. I'm going to be a winner. I'm going to find a way. In those times I want to be up to bat. This time I didn't get them, but tomorrow's a new day. This is where you find out what you're made of when times get tough."

MEDICAL WATCH:

INF Jeff Keppinger (sore back) left the April 16 game. He sat out on April 17-20.

2B Kaz Matsui (stiff back) did not play April 15-19 but was back in the lineup April 20.

RHP Brian Moehler (strained right knee) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 14.

RHP Doug Brocail (strained right rotator cuff) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 11. He is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment April 24.

RHP Brandon Backe (strained left side muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list March 27. He threw a bullpen session April 20 and appeared to be close to going on a rehab assignment.

INF Aaron Boone (open-heart surgery on March 26) went on the 15-day disabled list March 27, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 10. He was uncertain whether he'd resume his career.

ROTATION:

RHP Roy Oswalt

LHP Wandy Rodriguez

LHP Mike Hampton

RHP Russ Ortiz

RHP Felipe Paulino

BULLPEN:

RHP Jose Valverde (closer)

RHP LaTroy Hawkins

LHP Wesley Wright

RHP Geoff Geary

LHP Tim Byrdak

RHP Chris Sampson

RHP Jeff Fulchino

CATCHERS:

Ivan Rodriguez

Humberto Quintero

INFIELDERS:

1B Lance Berkman

2B Kaz Matsui

SS Miguel Tejada

3B Geoff Blum

INF Jeff Keppinger

INF Jason Smith

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Carlos Lee

CF Michael Bourn

RF Hunter Pence

OF/1B Darin Erstad

OF Jason Michaels