--C J.R. Towles was optioned to Class AAA Round Rock on Monday, an off day for the Astros. Towles hit .182 (2-for-11) in four games, three starts, after being recalled April 25.
--C Humberto Quintero, who suffered a strained right shoulder on April 24 when he was smashed by Milwaukee's Mike Cameron in a collision at the plate, will be activated off the disabled list and join the Astros in Colorado for the start of a three-game series against the Rockies on Tuesday. He was 1-for-10 during his four-game rehab assignment at Class AAA Round Rock. --1B Lance Berkman, who missed the entire three-game series sweep against the Padres because of a sore left wrist, might be ready to return to the lineup Tuesday for the start of the three-game series against the Rockies at Coors Field. Berkman has not played since he was 0-for-5 with four strikeouts Thursday against the Cubs.
--RHP Felipe Paulino will start Tuesday against the Rockies. Paulino struggled in the bullpen after being put there after posting a 2.55 ERA over three starts. "I feel more comfortable in the starting rotation, but I was trying to do 100 percent in the bullpen, too," he said. "I'm ready to do whatever they want."
--C Ivan Rodriguez went 4-for-4 with a home run and a triple Sunday in the Astros' 12-5 win over the Padres.
MEDICAL WATCH:
1B Lance Berkman (sprained left wrist) sat out May 8-10. He is day-to-day.
RHP Roy Oswalt (bone bruise on right index finger) left the May 5 game. He expects to make his May 10 start.
C Humberto Quintero (strained right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list April 25. He began a rehab assignment May 8 with Class AAA Round Rock, and he is expected to be activated May 12.
RHP Brandon Backe (strained left side muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list March 27. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Round Rock on April 27, and he moved his rehab to Class AA Corpus Christi on May 3. He could return to the Astros in late May.
RHP Jose Valverde (strained right calf) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 27. He had fluid drained from the calf April 30 and May 1, and he might be out until early June.
RHP Doug Brocail (torn left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list May 4. He is out at least a month, and if he ultimately requires surgery, he would miss the rest of the season.
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 Brian Moehler
RHP Felipe Paulino
BULLPEN:
RHP LaTroy Hawkins (closer)
LHP Wesley Wright
RHP Geoff Geary
LHP Tim Byrdak
RHP Chris Sampson
RHP Jeff Fulchino
RHP Alberto Arias
RHP Russ Ortiz
CATCHERS:
Ivan Rodriguez
Humberto Quintero
INFIELDERS:
1B Lance Berkman
2B Kaz Matsui
SS Miguel Tejada
3B Geoff Blum
INF Jeff Keppinger
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Carlos Lee
CF Michael Bourn
RF Hunter Pence
OF/1B Darin Erstad
OF Jason Michaels
