HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- Astros left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez begins his rehab assignment from a fractured ring finger on Sunday for the Sugar Land Skeeters.
Valdez said Friday he expects to throw three innings in Sunday's game at Round Rock. Valdez threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session Friday. He told reporters afterward that all of his pitches -- the sinker, changeup and curveball -- were executed well in the bullpen session.
When asked how the injury may have impacted his pitches, Valdez said he hasn't lost the feeling of being on the mound and the pitches are largely unaffected.
The changeup could be even better, he said.
Valdez was worried back in March when he was initially told the fractured finger could need surgery and cost him the season.
"We talked about it and took the decision to go with physical therapy. I thought that was the best decision for me and that I could recover as quickly as I could," Valdez said. "So, working together with the team, they got me set up with therapy and we decided to go that route. Thank God, it's worked out."
After the Triple A outing Sunday, Valdez plans to get back on his regular spring training ramp-up to get back in the Astros' rotation as soon as possible.
The return of Valdez and eventually Jake Odorizzi, who the Astros signed shortly after Valdez's injury, should provide the team with much-needed pitching depth.
Once those players return (Odorizzi's been out since April 24 with a right pronator muscle strain), the Astros should have a wealth of starting caliber pitchers, while the bullpen is still pretty thin.
There was also good news this week with starter Jose Urquidy not suffering any major damage to his shoulder after leaving the fourth inning of Wednesday's start against the Angels.
An MRI showed some inflammation, but nothing significant. Urquidy said he felt a cramp in his shoulder, which he'd never felt before, but expects to throw again next week, but could miss his next scheduled start. A timetable for his return is unclear.
"It depends on how I feel day by day," Urquidy said. "I'm getting better."
Brandon Scott is the editor of SportsRadio610.com. Follow him on Twitter @brandonkscott.
