"I didn't really notice it. I'm very, very happy, obviously not with the game, but I'm excited because I don't feel like this is going to linger. I feel like this is behind me."

--C Humberto Quintero, who was activated from the disabled list Tuesday, will start Wednesday as manager Cecil Cooper tries to give Ivan Rodriguez some rest before Thursday afternoon's series finale.

Beginning with the finale against the Rockies at Coors Field, the Astros have four consecutive afternoon games to end the six-game trip that includes a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs. So instead of having Rodriguez out of the lineup for the afternoon game after the night game, he'll rest in the Wednesday night game.

--LHP Wandy Rodriguez has blossomed paired with C Ivan Rodriguez, so they'll work together Thursday while Humberto Quintero works with Mike Hampton on Wednesday.

"Definitely (Rodriguez) and Wandy have gone very well together," manager Cecil Cooper said. "You don't want to disrupt that if you don't have to."

MEDICAL WATCH:

1B Lance Berkman (sprained left wrist) sat out May 8-10. He returned to the lineup May 12.

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 was 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