Rookie Oberholtzer earns rotation spot

MINNEAPOLIS -- In a move that certainly came as no surprise, the Astros announced on Friday that left-hander Brett Oberholtzer would remain in the rotation for the foreseeable future. Oberholtzer was dazzling in his first Major League start Wednesday in Baltimore, throwing seven scoreless innings and allowing three hits.

The move means that Lucas Harrell will move back into the bullpen after making a spot start in place of Bud Norris on Tuesday in Baltimore. Harrell was in the rotation to start the year before being moved to the bullpen a month ago.

Oberholtzer will get the ball again on Monday against the Red Sox at Minute Maid Park.

"It was one of those things, each time [Oberholtzer] came up, he came up with the situation for us needing a long guy, and a couple of those times, he was able to get into the game, and it just so happened this time around, some guys had to get pushed back [in the rotation]," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "Obie went out and did a tremendous job and warranted us giving him another shot."

Oberholtzer, acquired a couple of years ago from the Braves in the Michael Bourn trade, said he's built to be a starter. He started 105 games in the Minor Leagues.