News
Ailing Valverde sits; Brocail nears return
Hawkins serves as acting closer in opener vs. Brewers
By Alyson Footer / MLB.com
04/24/09 10:05 PM ET
HOUSTON -- Jose Valverde was optimistic about his health status early Friday, but after he threw a few pitches off the mound, he told manager Cecil Cooper he probably needed one more day before he can return to game action."It still hurts when I throw," Valverde said.
Now three days removed from suffering a bruised right foot and pulled right calf muscle while closing out a win over the Dodgers, Valverde is still feeling the effects of both incidents. Cooper was hopeful Valverde would be ready for the series opener with the Brewers, but now Cooper will look toward a Saturday or Sunday return.
LaTroy Hawkins, who did not pitch Thursday after making three straight appearances, will likely serve as the temporary closer until Valverde returns.
In other injury news, Doug Brocail put the final touches on his rehab process by throwing a simulated game before batting practice on Friday. Brocail, who has been sidelined with a rotator cuff sprain for two weeks, sees no reason why he wouldn't be activated from the DL when he's eligible Sunday.
"It's been a long 15 days," Brocail said. "And I know today is only the 14th, but I swear to God, it's been a month and a half."
Brocail threw to teammates Jason Michaels and Jason Smith.
"I wanted to face our hitters, because our hitters are the guys I can talk to and see what they think," Brocail said. "If they think that it's not good, then obviously, I'd probably throw one more time and go from there. I think that's the most important thing -- to communicate with the guys that swing the bat every day, and they both said it looked decent. Maybe it's time."
Michaels offered a favorable report, commending Brocail's velocity and movement with his pitches. He also appreciated the extra round of batting practice.
"For the guys on the bench, it's good to see what he's throwing," Michaels said. "He's not telling us what's coming, and we're trying to take it as a regular at-bat."
Later that night, Brian Moehler, rehabbing from a knee sprain, appeared in a game for Triple-A Round Rock. He allowed two runs on three hits with three walks. He threw 77 pitches, 45 for strikes.
Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
