Astros reliever Jesse Crain said his rehab from right biceps surgery has been the toughest thing he’s been through in his career, and that includes shoulder surgery in 2007.

“It’s definitely taken its toll,” Crain said.

The ’07 surgery was on his rotator cuff and labrum surgery, an operation that probably should have been more difficult to come back from, he said, but that for which recovery went smoothly.

Crain initially hoped to return in April, but a case of bursitis in the shoulder slowed him down. The Astros signed him to a one-year deal this offseason.

“Slow process in the kind of big scheme of things, but I’ve been getting better every single day still, been off the mound three times and each time it’s gotten better,” Crain said. “Today was just not even a bullpen, that was just kind of getting out there and throwing a few. Which is a good sign that I can do that in between bullpen sessions.

“I’d say later June if I had to say a time. Even though I’m getting better, we’re still taking it by day. We have a schedule put out in pencil … sometimes you have to use your eraser and change things.”

Crain is throwing only fastballs for now. He expects to be around the big-league team most of the time going forward, a minor league rehab stint aside.

“I think there are a few days I go down there (to the team’s complex in Florida), actually right before these guys go to Tampa (June 19-22), I think I might scoot down to Kissimmee,” Crain said. “I think as long as it keeps going good, maybe after this bullpen (Saturday), maybe next week I’ll start to kind of start spinning some balls and see how that feels.

“Our plan we kind of talked about is throwing three or four batting practice sessions and then two or three simulated games, and that’s six or seven times against hitters. I think if I feel good after that, then maybe a week to 10 days of (minor-league) rehab where I could throw, off-day, throw, off-day, then maybe two games in a row and a couple games off and then throw. … You want to make sure I’m going to be able to bounce back and be able to pitch and help the team before you take me off the DL.”

Fellow injured Astros relievers Matt Albers (right shoulder tendinitis) and Anthony Bass (right intercostal strain) are in Florida rehabbing. Neither are expected to be activated during the seven-game home stand the Astros started Thursday.