Houston Astros schedule injured pitcher’s next rehab game

The Houston Astros will give injured starting pitcher José Urquidy a third rehab game with their Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land on Friday, according to multiple reports.

The Space Cowboys play at home this week against the Round Rock Express, the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers.

The Astros hope this will be the final rehab start for Urquidy, who has yet to appear in the Majors this season. Manager Joe Espada told reporters the goal is for the right-hander to reach 80 pitches.

His final rehab game was Saturday with Double-A Corpus Christi. He was roughed up, as he allowed seven hits and five runs, although four were earned. He also struck out two.

The biggest problem was his constitution. Urquidy threw 59 pitches in four innings, as his fastball reached 93 mph.

Houston had hoped to get more out of the right-hander, who made his first rehab start with Sugar Land the previous week and threw 46 pitches in 2.2 innings, allowing three hits and three earned runs.

The Astros want Urquidy to be able to handle a full workload when he returns.

Assuming the start of rehab Friday goes well and he’s ready to return, Houston will be on the road against the Seattle Mariners. Assuming normal rest, the earliest he could throw is Wednesday.

Urquidy left a spring training game in March with a strained right forearm. An examination revealed it was nothing more and it was built for over a month with long throws, bullpen sessions and live batting practice.

He is no stranger to injuries. Last season, he went 3-3 with a 5.29 ERA and spent three months on the injured list due to right shoulder discomfort.

The Astros are off Thursday and begin a seven-game road trip in Oakland on Friday.