Porter throws a curve into intrasquad plans

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Astros pitchers have one more day of live batting practice Wednesday before they'll appear in Grapefruit League games, beginning with Saturday's opener against the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla.

Houston manager Bo Porter said Tuesday the club will use a pitching machine that throws nothing but curveballs in Thursday's intrasquad game.

"As you take batting practice and even through live [BP], these guys haven't taken too many swings off of breaking balls," Porter said. "It's one of those things that when you get to a game setting and you have the backdrop and the space and the field and all the cages and stuff like that removed, it's always a good drill."

The Astros will hold a draft Wednesday morning to pick teams for the intrasquad game, which will be held inside Osceola County Stadium and last about five or six innings. The teams will be called Team Everett and Team Ensberg, with Minor League instructors Morgan Ensberg and Adam Everett serving as coaches.