Valdes feeling fine after bullpen session

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Raul Valdes (left knee surgery) threw a bullpen session of 25 pitches on Wednesday morning. The left-hander threw all of his pitch types and said he feels "fine."

Valdes will throw another bullpen session on Friday.

"It felt very good," Valdes said through a team translator, visiting clubhouse manager Steve Perry. "It felt very good. Thank God."

Astros manager Bo Porter was also optimistic following practice on Wednesday.

"It's real positive," Porter said. "Our training staff, they're doing a tremendous job with all of our guys that are kind of limited in some way or another."

Valdes believes that if Friday's session goes as well as Wednesday's, he could be available to pitch in games within two weeks. Though also encouraged, Porter was a bit more hesitant to discuss a return date.

"Whenever a guy is limited in some kind of way, I don't like to get into timetables," Porter said. "I think that puts pressure on a player and it may not be realistic, so I'll allow the trainers to lead the way in that aspect."

The Cuban hurler, who owns a 4.94 ERA in 95 career outings, is competing for one of the lefty spots in Houston's bullpen. He made his Major League debut with the Mets in 2010 and has spent time with the Cardinals, the Yankees and the Phillies in his career.

In 2014, he aims to add the Astros to that list.

"I have a very good chance," Valdes said via Perry. "If I work hard, I'll have a good chance of making it."