Astros' Luis Valbuena resumes baseball activities

Recommended Video:

MINNEAPOLIS - Two weeks removed from straining his right hamstring while running out a groundball, Astros third baseman Luis Valbuena has resumed baseball activities.

Valbuena ran outside on the grass at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday for the first time since sustaining the injury. He has also resumed hitting in the batting cage.

Manager A.J. Hinch described Valbuena's increase in activity as making "some significant strides."

"He had a good day," Hinch said before Tuesday night's game at Target Field. "I don't know where that takes us until we see how he feels (Wednesday), but that's a positive sign."

Although eligible to return from the disabled list on Thursday, Valbuena's stint on the DL will extend beyond the minimum 15 days. He may require a minor league rehab assignment to face live pitching before returning to the Astros' lineup.

Odds & ends

Late-inning reliever Luke Gregerson (oblique strain) threw only off flat ground Monday but is hopeful to progress to a session off the mound Wednesday, according to Hinch. "A pretty aggressive (bullpen session) in that where we can at least have a plan for the weekend as to what we're going to do," Hinch said. "So that's encouraging." Gregerson is eligible to return from the DL on Friday.

Outfielder Colby Rasmus is scheduled to see a specialist about the cholesteatoma in his right ear Wednesday in Houston.

Brett Oberholtzer is back in the American League West. The Angels on Tuesday claimed the former Astros lefthander off waivers from the Phillies. Oberholtzer was part of December's Ken Giles trade.

The Astros and their Single-A Quad Cities affiliate (Midwest League) extended their player development contract through the 2018 season. Their partnership dates to 2013.