Crain among Astros likely to start year on DL

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Saturday that pitchers Jesse Crain, Asher Wojciechowski and Alex White were likely to begin the season on the disabled list, which would certainly not come as a surprise considering they had spent all spring rehabbing injuries.

Crain, signed as a free agent in the offseason, has been working his way from biceps tendinitis surgery performed in October and is eyeing a return to the mound in late April. Wojciechowski has not thrown on a mound all spring because of a strained lat, and White is progressing from Tommy John surgery performed 11 months ago.

Crain hopes to throw in the bullpen for the first time at the end of next week. He's thrown between 100 and 120 feet of flat ground and threw short off the mound Saturday.

"I'm feeling pretty good and getting stronger," Crain said. "It's still a little ways to go, but it's good."

White has thrown several live bullpen sessions this spring, but he has not pitched in any games and is likely headed for extending Spring Training. He has made significant process in even the last 10 days when it comes to his velocity. He was in the low 80s 10 days ago and is now in the high 80s.

Additionally, the Astros will be without reliever Peter Moylan, who appears headed for his second Tommy John surgery. Moylan injured his elbow a week ago and is seeking a second opinion from renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews.