Rehab assignments on horizon for Chatwood, Oswalt

PHILADELPHIA -- Injured Rockies right-handed pitchers Tyler Chatwood and Roy Oswalt each threw intense, 60-pitch bullpen sessions on Monday at Citizens Bank Park and hope to have simulated games on Thursday before going out on rehab assignments.

Chatwood (7-4, 3.15 ERA in 15 starts) has been out since early August with a right elbow impingement. Oswalt (0-4, 7.64 ERA in four starts) suffered a left hamstring strain on July 7.

"We both throw the same day on Thursday, and hopefully we can get out there and get back soon," Chatwood said.

Oswalt seemed close to returning in early August, but suffered cramping in the hamstring during a simulated game. Still, Oswalt isn't afraid to ramp up his intensity. His previous bullpen session, on Saturday, was 50 pitches.

"I normally throw 50 pitches in a bullpen session between starts, but I like to throw a lot more than most people, because I believe it gets me stronger," Oswalt said.