Astros skip ace Oswalt’s turn in Pittsburgh

ASSOCIATED PRESS

PITTSBURGH — Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt is on track to start Friday’s game against the Washington Nationals after having his previous turn in the rotation skipped because of a nerve problem in his lower back.

Houston’s game Tuesday’s night at PNC Park against the Pirates was delayed by rain and not completed in time for today’s edition.

Oswalt received a painkilling shot in the sciatic nerve in his lower back Saturday. Houston manager Cecil Cooper said the right-hander threw 35 to 40 pitches as part of a bullpen session Tuesday and emerged pain-free.

Oswalt, an All-Star the previous three seasons, is 7-8 with a 4.60 ERA this year. He left his previous start during the seventh inning June 30 in Los Angeles with pain in his left hip. The sciatic nerve had been inflamed, causing the pain in the hip.

The Astros also optioned pitcher Runelvys Hernandez to Triple-A Round Rock and recalled right-hander Chad Reineke.

Hernandez was pounded for 10 runs in four innings Monday’s start against the Pirates. He was 0-3 with a 10.29 in three starts.

Reineke, who has yet to pitch in the majors, was 3-8 with a 6.06 ERA in 12 starts for Round Rock. Cooper said the team needed a pitcher capable of throwing multiple innings in case of an emergency Tuesday after the bullpen was overextended in a 17-inning loss in Atlanta Sunday.

Houston has 13 pitchers on its roster now, but Cooper said it’s likely that number would drop to 12 before Wednesday’s game.

Starting second baseman Kazuo Matsui is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list. He has not played since June 22 due to a strained right hamstring.

Cooper said Matsui “probably” would be activated today.

Cubs land pitcher

CHICAGO — One day after the Milwaukee Brewers landed an ace, the Chicago Cubs answered.

Intent on ending their 100-year drought without a World Series title, the NL Central leaders acquired talented right-hander Rich Harden in a six-player deal with the Oakland Athletics Tuesday.

With CC Sabathia going to Milwaukee, Harden was the best available pitcher, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.