Rotation unclear for Seattle series after opener

OAKLAND, Calif. — Framber Valdez will start the first game of a four-game series Monday in Seattle, but the Astros’ rotation plans for the remainder of the series are undetermined, manager Joe Espada said.

Cristian Javier would be his turn to follow Valdez. Javier was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday in Oakland, but didn’t take the field until the Astros series finale at the Coliseum.

Houston expected to get starter José Urquidy back from the injured list this week. But Urquidy suffered a setback in his Triple-A rehab start Friday. Espada said Urquidy will undergo further testing on Tuesday.

Ronel Blanco returned Sunday from a 10-game suspension for a foreign substance violation, giving the Astros six active starters. While that provides some rotation flexibility, the Astros are at the start of a 13-day streak that began Friday.

“Urquidy, that really created a problem,” Espada said before Sunday’s match. “So we’re going to take it one game at a time for now.”