Deduno prescribed rest for back strain

DETROIT -- Astros right-handed reliever Samuel Deduno was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strain in his right lower back on Monday. The club received positive news when Tuesday's MRI revealed inflammation near Deduno's right hip is not expected to require an extended stint on the disabled list.

Deduno will follow a rest-and-rehab plan for discomfort he has been experiencing since Spring Training. Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Deduno will throw a bullpen session on Friday or Saturday. Meanwhile, Deduno continues to throw soft toss.

"Sometime here in Detroit," Hinch said Thursday morning of Deduno's bullpen session. "We got good news that the requirements were just rest and a little bit of rehab. I think we escaped a bigger injury, so he's mending well and will hopefully get off the mound. Once he gets off the mound, then that starts the whole preparation to be active again."

Deduno, 31, has made nine appearances for the Astros this year, pitching predominantly out of the bullpen. In that time, he has posted a 6.86 ERA with 16 earned runs, the predominant factor a result of an outing on May 6 against the Texas Rangers when Deduno allowed 10 runs on 11 hits in the second of two starts. Prior to that, Deduno carried a 2.70 ERA in six outings.