Worth noting

• Porter said closer Jose Veras felt better than expected Friday after a line drive caromed off his pitching hand, bruising it, in Thursday's loss to Tampa Bay. "I think he's fine," Porter said. "He said it wasn't as sore as he thought it was going to be."

• Friday was Porter's 41st birthday, which he shares with Hall of Famer Goose Gossage.

• Porter was pleased to hear reports that the Houston Rockets agreed to terms with All-Star center Dwight Howard, the most sought-after free agent in the NBA. "Any time you get an opportunity to add a franchise player to your organization and to the core players that they have already, it's a huge win for the city of Houston," Porter said. "I'm excited."