ANAHEIM -- Coming off an uncharacteristically off night in an otherwise superb August, the Astros' bullpen received a reinforcement Sunday as right-hander Will Harris was activated from the 10-day disabled list.
The team also optioned right-hander James Hoyt to Triple-A Fresno.
Harris hasn't pitched for the Astros since July 5 with right shoulder discomfort. The 32-year-old threw 32 pitches in an inning of work Friday in his latest rehab outing with Triple-A Fresno. He owns a 2.86 ERA through 34 relief appearances for the Astros this season while holding opponents to a .215 batting average.
"I think he's going to need the adrenaline of the big leagues and get back in the flow of being back in our bullpen," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "He's a huge part of what we're doing, so it's nice to write his name on the card."
Hinch also lauded Harris' success against left-handed hitters this season. They're hitting just .213 in 61 at-bats against him. Francisco Liriano is the only left-hander currently in the Astros' bullpen.
"He's going to gradually work his way back into the role we're accustomed to in the late-leverage innings," Hinch said. "His first few outings might be normal reliever outings. But once we felt like he could bounce back, especially from a 30-pitch inning like that, we think he's cleared the health issues."
Despite surrendering six runs in Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Angels, the Astros' 2.45 bullpen ERA this month was third best in the Majors entering Sunday.
Hoyt, 30, was in his second stint with the team this season. He's 1-0 with a 4.98 ERA in 38 relief appearances (43 1/3 innings).
Worth noting
• Hinch had yet to be informed why Carlos Correa played only five innings at shortstop with Fresno on Saturday as he rehabs a torn ligament in his left thumb. He was slated to play the entire game, depending on how long it lasted. Hinch said he was still scheduled to serve as Fresno's designated hitter Sunday, marking the first back-to-back appearances of his rehab assignment. Correa went 1-for-3 on Saturday.
• Jake Marisnick hit his 16th homer of the season in Saturday's loss, giving the Astros six players with at least 16 homers. That ties the franchise record, as they also accomplished the feat in 2001 and 2015. The Rangers and Orioles have also met that mark this season.