--RHP Doug Brocail threw a 20-pitch simulated inning and six more pitches Friday, and he'll be cleared to come off the disabled list if he feels fine with right rotator cuff.

"I felt good," he said. "I felt real good."

--SS Miguel Tejada, who has been the Astros' most consistent starter at the plate this season, was moved from second in the order to fifth, a spot suited for run producers.

"I'm looking for sparks wherever I can find them," Cecil Cooper said. "Tejada has been swinging it really great up at the top, but he's got to be an RBI guy for us.

"I just put him up there (second) to hopefully get him going. Now he's really going. Maybe I've waited too late. I don't know, maybe I'll second guess myself. But we needed to get him going, and he is really going now pretty good now and is one of our most consistent hitters.

--LF Carlos Lee gave the Astros a 2-0 lead with a two-run home run into the Crawford Boxes in the bottom of the fourth.

Lee leads the Astros with 12 RBIs and is tied with Hunter Pence for the lead in home runs with four.

--RHP Felipe Paulino, who gave up four runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts over six innings, suffered the loss.

MEDICAL WATCH:

C Humberto Quintero (sore right shoulder) left the April 24 game after a collision at home plate. He expects to play on April 25.

RHP Jose Valverde (bruised right ankle, strained right calf) was hurt April 21 but remained in the game. He was unavailable April 22-24, and he is day-to-day.

RHP Brian Moehler (strained right knee) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 14. He is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Round Rock on April 24.

RHP Doug Brocail (strained right rotator cuff) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 11. He will pitch a simulated inning April 24, and he might come off the disabled list April 26.

RHP Brandon Backe (strained left side muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list March 27. He will begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Round Rock on April 27.

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