HOUSTON (AP) - Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt says he's feeling
better today after leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers game because of
a strained left hip.
Oswalt is due to start again Saturday in Atlanta.
Oswalt (7-8) struck out nine and allowed one run in six innings
of Houston's 4-1 win on Monday.
He grounded out in the bottom of the inning, then appeared fine
when he returned to the mound for the seventh.
After a few warmup pitches to backup catcher Humberto Quintero,
assistant athletic trainer Rex Jones and manager Cecil Cooper went
out to check on Oswalt. The pitcher left the field with Jones.
Cooper says he'll wait until Thursday or Friday make a final
decision on Oswalt's availability.
Cooper says he'll consider calling up Jack Cassel from Triple-A
Round Rock or moving Chris Sampson from the bullpen to make the
start if Oswalt isn't ready.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)