Oberholtzer (finger) threw live batting practice at extended spring training Monday, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports.

Now that he's been cleared to face hitters, the lefty is preparing to pitch in a simulated game by the end of the week. If all goes well during that session, he could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment at one of the Astros' minor-league affiliates in the near future.

Oberholtzer (finger) played catch Monday without a bandage for the first time since landing on the DL, Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports.

It appears as though Oberholtzer is progressing well as he resumed throwing from flat ground last week, and has now been able to throw without a bandage on his blister. He'll be eligible to be activated Tuesday, though it remains to be seen if he's ready to return after the minimum 15-day stay on the DL.

Oberholtzer (finger) threw from flat ground Wednesday with a bandage on his blister, the Houston Chronicle's Evan Drellich reports.

He pitched poorly this spring and wasn't great last season, so even if he regains a rotation spot upon coming off the DL, Oberholtzer is not a lock to stay in the big league rotation all season.

Oberholtzer (finger) was placed on the 15-day DL Wednesday, the Astros' official website reports.

Oberhotlzer's DL stint will be backdated to March 30, allowing him to return as soon as the second week of the season. The 25-year-old left-hander recently overcame a minor lat strain, but is now dealing with a blister on his left index finger. Oberholtzer struggled during Grapefruit League play (7.56 ERA) and went 5-13 with a 4.39 ERA for the Astros last season.

Oberholtzer (back) threw 46 pitches in a minor league game Wednesday and is expected to return to Grapefruit League action Monday, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Oberholtzer was able to get through two innings of minor league action in his first appearance since being shut down last week with mild back soreness. If he's able to make his scheduled start in Grapefruit League play Monday, he should be on track to be ready by Opening Day.

Oberholtzer threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Sunday, and remains on track to be ready for Opening Day, the Astros' official site reports.

Oberholtzer is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Wednesday as well; the last step before returning to major league games. Assuming all goes as planned, he should be good for his first turn in the rotation. However, another setback could compromise that.

Oberholtzer (back) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Oberholtzer has missed his last two starts due to a lat strain, but he appears to be moving along as expected. A further update regarding his status in advance of Opening Day should be available following Friday's session.

Oberholtzer will be sidelined for a week with mild back soreness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Oberholtzer will still be able to play catch over the next week, so the issue doesn't look to be anything serious. However, it's certainly something to keep an eye on as Opening Day approaches.

Oberholtzer will start the Astros' second Grapefruit League game Friday against St. Louis, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Oberholtzer posted a disappointing 5-13 record and a 4.39 ERA in 2014, but a 3.62 FIP suggests he was a bit unlucky last season. The 25-year-old southpaw is likely to open 2015 as the No. 4 starter in Houston's starting rotation.

Oberholtzer dropped his ninth decision Sunday, allowing three runs on 10 hits with six strikeouts over 6.2 innings against the Indians.

Oberholtzer (4-9) lines up to face the Rangers for his next scheduled start on Friday.

Oberholtzer didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Yankees, yielding four runs on seven hits and a walk with seven strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

In 18 starts with the Astros this season, Oberholtzer is 4-8 with a 4.01 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 73:23 K:BB through 110 innings. He lines up to face the Indians for his next scheduled start on Sunday in Cleveland.

Oberholtzer took his eighth loss of the season Wednesday afternoon despite pitching seven strong innings of one-run ball against the Twins.

Oberholtzer (4-8) allowed six hits, struck out four and didn't walk a batter in the game, but the Astros' offense could only muster a single run in support of the southpaw. Oberholtzer has given up two earned runs or less in seven of his last nine starts, but only has three wins to show for his efforts. He'll carry a 3.87 ERA into his next scheduled start against the Yankees on Tuesday.

Brett Oberholtzer picked up his third win after allowing three runs in 6 2/3 innings Monday against the A's.

Oberholtzer has given the Astros three straight quality starts, though the win tonight was his first since May 30 (he went on to spend most of June in the minors). He's back looking like a legitimate AL-only option, though he's not to be touched in mixed leagues.

Brett Oberholtzer was strong on Tuesday, giving up two runs and six hits in seven innings of work.

Oberholtzer was pitching in the place of Colin McHugh. The numbers weren't spectacular or flashy, but he got the job done. He made the A's put the ball in play, as he didn't record a walk or strikeout. While Oberholtzer didn't factor into the decision (the game went thirteen innings), the effort dropped his ERA to 4.32. Should McHugh return this week, Olberholtzer will probably make his way back to the minors.

Astros recalled LHP Brett Oberholtzer from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Oberholtzer will join the Astros rotation in place of the injured Collin McHugh, and will take the hill against the Red Sox on Saturday. Over 11 starts with the Astros this season, he owns a 4.66 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 48/17 K/BB ratio over 63 2/3 innings. He makes for an unappealing streaming option in fantasy leagues.

Brett Oberholtzer could be recalled to start on Saturday against the Red Sox.

Collin McHugh is nursing a right fingernail avulsion and will be pushed back at least until Sunday. Oberholtzer, who was scratched from a scheduled outing Tuesday at Triple-A Oklahoma City, holds a 4.66 ERA over 11 starts with the big club this season.

Astros optioned LHP Brett Oberholtzer to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Oberholtzer made a couple starts while Dallas Keuchel (wrist) was banged up, but Keuchel is ready to rejoin the rotation Friday. The left-hander holds a 4.66 ERA over 11 starts this season.

Brett Oberholtzer was whipped for five runs on nine hits over 6 1/3 innings Thursday in a loss to the Angels.

Oberholtzer had been clinging to his "sixth starter" designation by the skin of his fingernails, and this start may make it easy for Houston to demote him again. The left-hander was 0-6 with a 5.68 ERA in his first seven starts for Houston, but had gone 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA in his three outings since prior to tonight's uneven performance. We expect Oberholtzer to get shipped to the minors; if the Astros show mercy, his turn in the rotation would come up again against the Rangers next week.

Brett Oberholtzer tossed 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball Saturday in a no-decision against the Tigers.

Oberholtzer pitched well in his return to the major league level, limiting a dangerous Tigers offense to five hits and two walks while pitching into the seventh inning. But the Houston bullpen again faltered. Oberholtzer owns a 4.40 ERA this season in the bigs.

Astros optioned LHP Brett Oberholtzer to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Oberholtzer pitched well in his two starts since rejoining the rotation, but the Astros have decided to go back to a normal five-man setup. The southpaw will be back later this summer.