Peacock gets opportunity to join rotation

HOUSTON -- With right-hander Lucas Harrell having been designated for assignment, the Astros are going to turn to right-hander Brad Peacock to take his spot in the rotation. He'll make his first start of the season Sunday against the A's -- his former team -- in Oakland.

Peacock, Harrell, Jerome Williams and Dallas Keuchel competed for the final two spots in the starting rotation at the end of spring, with Harrell and Keuchel getting those jobs and Williams and Peacock going to the bullpen. Peacock appeared in three games entering Wednesday, with all three outings lasting at least 2 2/3 innings.

"The plan is to try to get him on the mound at some point [Wednesday] if the game situation dictates," manager Bo Porter said. "If he's not able to get into the game today, he'll throw an extended bullpen and be ready to pitch Sunday.

Peacock won a spot in the rotation to begin last season but lasted only a month after going 1-3 with an 8.44 ERA. In his third stint with the club last year, he went 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA in his final 12 games, including nine starts.

"Peacock is the next in line, and I think he's going to pick up where he finished last year in September," general manager Jeff Luhnow said.