Astros leave door open for Mike Burrows in season's final week

The right-hander, sidelined since early July by elbow and shoulder issues, is throwing bullpens in Houston and could return in long relief.

Houston Astros right-hander Mike Burrows could pitch again before the regular season ends, manager Joe Espada said Tuesday. Burrows has been on the injured list and last appeared in the majors on July 7, when he was shut down with elbow neuritis.

Burrows made three rehab starts at Triple-A last month before shoulder inflammation stopped that assignment. He rejoined Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday and worked two scoreless innings, then was returned from his rehab assignment Monday in a procedural move after Sugar Land's season ended.

Burrows remains on the injured list and is throwing bullpens in Houston in case the Astros need him during the final six games. If activated, he would likely serve in long relief or as a swingman because his pitch count is not built up. He has a 5.99 ERA over 94 2/3 innings for Houston this year.

Two other Houston relievers appear unlikely to help in the final week. Steven Okert, out with a hamstring strain, has not thrown from a mound since the injury, though Espada said the team hopes that happens in the next few days, likely leaving a return possible only in the postseason. Okert leads the Astros in relief appearances.

Enyel De Los Santos, second on the team in relief appearances, was placed on the 15-day injured list last week with knee tendinitis and will miss the rest of the regular season.