HOUSTON -- After being placed on the 10-day disabled list for a pinched nerve in his neck, Astros ace Dallas Keuchel said he plans to return Saturday to start against the Orioles. Keuchel's catcher, Brian McCann, is scheduled to return the same day after being on the seven-day concussion DL.
"I don't think it was really that big of a deal. I didn't really want to go on the DL in the first place," Keuchel said of his neck. "It is what it is … It's not like I was on my death bed or anything. It was one of those things where it wasn't feeling right, and [I] decided to get right just based on how we're playing and the situation we're in."
McCann did baseball-related activities Wednesday during rehab for a concussion he believed he suffered on May 14 against the Yankees.
Should Keuchel not be ready for Saturday, Brad Peacock will make his second start this season. Peacock led the Astros to a combined one-hitter against the Tigers on Monday.
"Saturday is the big question. We'll have to wait for Dallas, obviously," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "It's going in the right direction, but we still have a few days to go.
"He's getting edgy. He's felt a little better. I know his mind is getting right to possibly be ready to come back, we'll see if his neck will cooperate. It's certainly good news as of Wednesday."
Correa's illness
If needed, Astros shortstop Carlos Correa could play Wednesday, Hinch said.
Correa spent all day Tuesday sleeping, recovering from what he said is a sinus-induced sickness that began on Sunday after the Astros' 8-6 loss to the Indians. Correa said he had shortness of breath and headaches earlier this week, provoking his now-two-game absence from Houston's starting lineup.
"He's still sick and not feeling great," Hinch said. "There's really no reason to run him out there at less than 100 percent. We'll take it day-by-day and see if he can give us anything tonight. If not, then we'll just keep pressing forward."