Weekend return possible for Astros' Feldman

HOUSTON -- Astros ace Scott Feldman, who's been on the disabled list since April 18 with right biceps tendinitis, threw 35 pitches in the bullpen Tuesday afternoon without any problems, and he is expected to be slotted back into the rotation soon.

Feldman, who went 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA in his first three starts with the Astros, said he'll throw a simulated game on Thursday or Friday, and then should be good to go. He could come off the disabled list as early as Saturday.

"I've just got to sit down with the training staff and coaches and kind of map out where we go from here," he said. "I feel like I could pitch right now. We'll see what happens. We've got to get through the live BP first before we know."

Collin McHugh, who was called up to take Feldman's spot in the rotation, has earned another start after going 2-0 with a 0.59 ERA in his first two starts. In 15 1/3 innings, McHugh has allowed five hits and three walks with 19 strikeouts, so the Astros will have an interesting decision to make once Feldman is activated.