Worth noting

• Closer Jose Veras was given Thursday off after throwing three days in a row, meaning right-hander Hector Ambriz was in line to close for the Astros.

• Right-hander Edgar Gonzalez is dealing with shoulder soreness and was unavailable Thursday. Porter said the discomfort stemmed from fatigue.

• Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez continues to deal with a slight strain of his right hamstring and remained out of the lineup Thursday, though he was available off the bench.

• Porter said the Astros will likely go back to seven relief pitchers in the next few days. The team has been carrying eight relief pitchers since Brad Peacock was called up earlier this week.