SAN DIEGO -- As the Astros await the completion of left-hander Brett Oberholtzer's Minor League rehab assignment, they will improvise for the fifth spot in their starting rotation, which comes up Friday against the Mariners in Houston.
Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that long reliever Samuel Deduno would likely start Friday's game if he isn't used beforehand. If Deduno isn't available, right-hander Jake Buchanan would be summoned from Triple-A Fresno to make the start.
"Right now, we're going every five days and figuring it out," Hinch said.
Rookie Asher Wojciechowski began the year in the rotation, but he was sent down after going 0-1 with a 7.