Roy Oswalt, who missed his start Sunday because of a bruised right forearm, expects to be ready to start Saturday. In preparation for that, manager Larry Dierker expects to use the rookie righthander in relief tonight if needed.
"I'll be ready for my next start," said Oswalt, who suffered the injury last Tuesday when he was hit by a line drive. "It has improved 100 percent since two days ago.
"What I'm worried about is waiting between innings. You sit 10 minutes. It stiffens up once you sit down and the blood isn't circulating as much."
Oswalt threw a strong bullpen session Sunday and had another light throwing session Monday. He said he has no discomfort while gripping the ball, which is a major improvement considering he could barely move his wrist Friday.
Once Oswalt is declared ready to play and Dave Mlicki makes his debut with the team today, the Astros must decide if they want to keep top pitching prospect Tim Redding, veteran reliever Joe Slusarski, or both.
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The hugs poured in from everywhere, starting with Moises Alou and Julio Lugo. Richard Hidalgo was back with the Astros, nearly 10 pounds lighter but back with the team nonetheless after spending three days lying in bed with acute tonsillitis.
"I really thought I would die," Hidalgo said of his mood shortly before he was rushed to Diagnostic Center Hospital on Friday with a massive headache and a fever of 101. "I was in grave danger. I got really scared. It was really, really scary."
Despite feeling weak, Hidalgo flew in from Houston on Monday afternoon to rejoin his teammates two days after he was released from the hospital. He arrived at Bank One Ballpark two hours prior to game time.
Manager Larry Dierker didn't consider putting Hidalgo in the lineup. Hidalgo hopes to be strong enough to hit today and possibly start.
"I'll be ready for my next start," said Oswalt, who suffered the injury last Tuesday when he was hit by a line drive. "It has improved 100 percent since two days ago.
"What I'm worried about is waiting between innings. You sit 10 minutes. It stiffens up once you sit down and the blood isn't circulating as much."
Oswalt threw a strong bullpen session Sunday and had another light throwing session Monday. He said he has no discomfort while gripping the ball, which is a major improvement considering he could barely move his wrist Friday.
Once Oswalt is declared ready to play and Dave Mlicki makes his debut with the team today, the Astros must decide if they want to keep top pitching prospect Tim Redding, veteran reliever Joe Slusarski, or both.
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The hugs poured in from everywhere, starting with Moises Alou and Julio Lugo. Richard Hidalgo was back with the Astros, nearly 10 pounds lighter but back with the team nonetheless after spending three days lying in bed with acute tonsillitis.
"I really thought I would die," Hidalgo said of his mood shortly before he was rushed to Diagnostic Center Hospital on Friday with a massive headache and a fever of 101. "I was in grave danger. I got really scared. It was really, really scary."
Despite feeling weak, Hidalgo flew in from Houston on Monday afternoon to rejoin his teammates two days after he was released from the hospital. He arrived at Bank One Ballpark two hours prior to game time.
Manager Larry Dierker didn't consider putting Hidalgo in the lineup. Hidalgo hopes to be strong enough to hit today and possibly start.
