Astros taking caution with Grossman's injury

OAKLAND -- Astros outfielder Robbie Grossman has yet to pick up a bat and remains day-to-day as he recovers from a strained oblique incurred while swinging in the 12th inning of Tuesday's contest against the Twins.

Friday was his third game out of the lineup since the injury, and manager Bo Porter said it's still unclear when Grossman will be able to return.

"He's still a little sore," Porter said. "Again, those obliques can be funny. I think we just have to monitor it each and every day and see how he progresses."

With the nature of the injury, combined with the team's place in the standings and the limited amount of games left in the season, Porter wasn't ready to determine whether Grossman will return before the season's end.

"I don't think we can sit here today and make that prediction," Porter said. "I think as time goes on, he's going to get treatment, and once he's physically able to play, we'll get him back in there.

"The luxury we have is this is September, so there's no sense of putting anybody on the DL. You're not in jeopardy of playing with a short roster, so we'll give him the time that he needs and let the trainers do what they need to do, and hopefully he gets back healthy and gets back out there."