Carlos

Hernandez

It’s expected that Brad Lidge, Dan Miceli, Chad Qualls and Mike Gallo, Chad Harville, Russ Springer, Dan Wheeler and Pete Munro will join starters Roy Oswalt, Roger Clemens and Brandon Backe on the roster. Willy Taveras likely will get the final spot on the Houston bench.

Remember him? Hernandez is out for the season, but has been playing long toss for about a month. Look for him in spring training.

Hernandez will throw off a mound again today barring any setbacks.

Hernandez has been throwing fastballs off the mound for three weeks, and he added curveballs and changeups to his workouts Thursday in Venezuela. He might be ready to pitch in winter ball.

This comes on the tails of seven no-hit innings in his last start, though his velocity remains topped out at 89 mph. Still, the Astros will have to give him a shot if he continues to dominate at Triple-A.

“I liked the way he pitched [Saturday],” manager Phil Garner said, after Hernandez allowed three runs in six innings.

The 26-year-old Hernandez is returning from another shoulder surgery. It’s doubtful that he’ll help the Astros in September, but he might resurface as a reliever in 2007.

Russ Springer gave up two runs in the eighth inning of a 2-2 game to send St. Louis to the victory. The fact that the Astros had to use Mike Gallo, Dan Wheeler, and Springer in a tie game while chasing a playoff berth doesn’t bode well for their chances.

Nice to see. Hernandez still has a 5.56 ERA since rejoining the Astros, so he probably shouldn’t be picked up.

Despite Hernandez’s shaky performance, the Astros came back and won tonight, as the bullpen combined to allowed one run in six innings. It was the pitcher who gave up that run, Chad Qualls, who received credit for the victory.