--RHP Jose Valverde, on the disabled list with a strained right calf, and RHP Doug Brocail, on the DL with a torn right hamstring, are playing catch back in Houston.

"If they can continue to do that, at least you won't have to worry about them building (arm strength) back up and a lot of stuff that has to go into that," manager Cecil Cooper said. "That's what we're hoping."

--RHP Geoff Geary who gave up Chris Iannetta's grand slam in Colorado's five-run ninth inning Wednesday, has biceps tendinitis, according to manager Cecil Cooper. The embattled reliever appears headed for the disabled list.

--C Humberto Quintero, who was hitless this season, went 2-for-5 with his first and second RBIs of year Wednesday.

--1B Lance Berkman, who had only eight hits this month, raised his batting average from .187 to .216 after going 4-for-4 with two RBIs. "That's good," Berkman said. "But it's also a little discouraging when you go 4-for-4 and you look up and you're hitting .216."

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Geoff Geary (biceps tendinitis) left the May 13 game. He is likely headed to the disabled list.

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