Reliever Will Harris nearing return to the Astros

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The Astros see the light at the end of the tunnel regarding the rehab of one of their best relievers.

Whether during next weekend's series in Anaheim or their subsequent home series against the Texas Rangers, Harris should return to the mound for the Astros by the end of the month.

Harris is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment early next week, likely on Tuesday. The Astros have yet to officially announce with which affiliate Harris will rehab but it's expected to be Class AA Corpus Christi because it's the closest in proximity. The Hooks open a four-game homestand Tuesday night against Midland.

It's unclear whether Harris will require one or two rehab outings before he's ready to be activated. The 32-year-old righthander, who hasn't pitched for the Astros since July 5 because of a bone bruise in his pitching shoulder, faced a few Astros teammates in a live batting setting Friday at Minute Maid Park.

The Astros felt Harris' stuff in the 15-to-20 pitch session was better than it had been in his minor league rehab outing last month. Harris said he woke up Saturday feeling fine after Friday's session.

"I feel better right now than any point over the last few weeks," said Harris, who has a 2.86 ERA in 34 2/3 innings this season.

Harris probably won't be the only rehabbing Astro in Corpus Christi on Tuesday. Catcher/designated hitter Evan Gattis, who hasn't played since he sustained a concussion Aug. 3, is also expected to begin a rehab assignment early next week. Ditto for lefthanded reliever Tony Sipp, who has been on the disabled list since Aug. 1 because of what the team described as a sore calf.

"We should charter a bus to go down to Corpus," Astros manager A.J. Hinch quipped.

Astros reliever Will Harris is expected to be removed from the disabled list by the end of the month. Harris hasn’t pitched for the Astros since July 5 because of a bone bruise in his pitching shoulder. Astros reliever Will Harris is expected to be removed from the disabled list by the end of the month. Harris hasn’t pitched for the Astros since July 5 because of a bone bruise in his pitching shoulder. Photo: Michael Zagaris/Getty Images Photo: Michael Zagaris/Getty Images Image 1 of / 77 Caption Close Reliever Will Harris nearing return to the Astros 1 / 77 Back to Gallery

Gattis, who's been taking batting practice since Wednesday, was put through a workout behind the plate by Hinch on Saturday afternoon. Both Gattis and Brian McCann (tendinitis in right knee) could return to the Astros next week. McCann, placed on the DL on Monday, was set to increase his baseball activities this weekend.

Rehabbing starter Lance McCullers Jr. is still in line to face hitters in a live BP session on Sunday morning, though the Astros will have to work around a season-ticket holders' event that will take place on the field before the 1:10 p.m. game.

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