The Astros hope to get Matt Albers (shoulder) back before the All-Star break.

Albers has been out since late April with right shoulder tendinitis. He attempted to ramp things up in a simulated game last month, but still didn't feel right. The Astros are hoping he'll make it back before the end of the first half, but he can't afford any more setbacks.

Matt Albers (shoulder) said he could be out of action another three to four weeks while recovering from shoulder tendinitis.

Albers tried to throw a simulated game at full effort on Friday but had to shut it down because it didn't feel right. An MRI showed no structural damage, so it's just an issue of managing the discomfort. Albers had a cortisone injection in the shoulder on Tuesday, and he'll be shut down from throwing for at least 10 days.

Matt Albers (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for 10 days after receiving a cortisone shot Tuesday.

Albers has been dealing with a shoulder issue for three weeks and hasn't made the necessary progress. He seems unlikely to return until June now.

Matt Albers (shoulder) said Monday that he's "in a holding pattern."

Albers had a scheduled simulated game Friday canceled after he felt some discomfort while warming up. "I feel OK, it's just when I'm playing catch, it feels good," he said. "When you let it go, not as great. Kind of shut down the sim game, didn't want to push it and make things worse." For what it's worth, Albers added that he wants to resume throwing "soon."

Matt Albers (shoulder) had a scheduled simulated game Friday canceled due to discomfort.

Albers had been set for activation from the DL had he gotten through the simulated game with no issues. Astros manager Bo Porter didn't call it a setback, but it's hard to think of it as anything else. It's not clear at this point when Albers might attempt to throw again.

Matt Albers (shoulder) could be activated from the disabled list this weekend.

Albers threw a bullpen session Sunday and will continue throwing from a mound this week. He's eligible to return Wednesday and it sounds like he might only need just beyond the minimum stay on the DL.

Matt Albers (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Sunday.

It's not clear what the next step is or if Albers will need a short rehab assignment, but it does appear that he's close. The reliever is eligible to return on Wednesday.

Astros placed RHP Matt Albers on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 22, with right shoulder tendinitis.

The Astros gave Albers a few days, but in the end he still wasn't feeling well enough to avoid the DL. It's not clear at this point how long he'll be out. Jose Cisnero replaced him on the roster.

Astros manager Bo Porter said that Matt Albers (shoulder) remains unavailable for Thursday's game.

"Albers is one guy that's dealing with some shoulder stiffness," Porter said Thursday. "He's been down the last couple days. He's down again today. We'll let the training staff continue to evaluate, and we'll go day to day with his situation." While he reiterated that the team doesn't think Albers' injury is serious, the skipper wouldn't rule out a DL stint if the reliever doesn't get better in a hurry. "The longer we go, that risk can increase," Porter said. "This is the third day, so I'm not going to jump the gun yet. We'll see how he responds to treatment and hopefully things will work themselves out."

Matt Albers wasn't available Tuesday and might not be Wednesday, either, due to right shoulder tightness.

Albers isn't concerned, though, so he can probably safely be considered day-to-day. Josh Fields nailed down the save for the Astros on Tuesday with a 1-2-3 inning.

Astros activated RHP Matt Albers from the paternity leave list.

Albers was away from the club for a few days to be with his wife while she gave birth. The right-hander has tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings out of the Astros' bullpen this season.

Astros placed RHP Matt Albers on the paternity leave list.

Albers and his wife are expecting their first child. He can remain away from the team for 24 to 72 hours.

Matt Albers will be placed on the paternity leave list prior to Tuesday's game.

Albers will be away for up to 72 hours in order to be with his wife, Tara, as she gives birth. Josh Zeid will replace Albers on the roster.

Matt Albers pitched a hitless eighth inning Friday against the Marlins.

Chad Qualls followed by giving up a run in the ninth. Albers has allowed two runs and struck out eight in six innings this spring, so he's one of the candidates to close for the Astros if Qualls is bypassed. Josh Fields is probably the other.

Astros signed RHP Matt Albers to a one-year, $2.45 million contract with a $3 million option for 2015.

The deal was agreed to on Monday evening and then finalized Tuesday after Albers passed his pre-signing physical. The 30-year-old right-hander had a cool 3.14 ERA in 63 innings this past season with the Indians and should do fine in a setup role with Houston.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Astros have agreed to a one-year, $2.45 million contract with reliever Matt Albers, pending a physical.

Albers will make $2.25 million in 2014 while his contract includes a $3 million option or $200,000 buyout for 2015. The 30-year-old compiled a 3.14 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 35/23 K/BB ratio over 63 innings this past season with the Indians. He'll presumably pitch in a set-up role with Houston.

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that several teams are interested in free agent Matt Albers, and at least one has already offered a two-year deal.

According to Hoynes, that two-year deal is believed to be from a division rival, either the Tigers or White Sox. The 30-year-old hurler compiled a 3.14 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 35/23 K/BB ratio over 63 innings in his lone season with the Tribe.

Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors reports that multiple teams have expressed interest in free agent reliever Matt Albers.

Albers, 30, posted a 3.14 ERA and 35/23 K/BB ratio over 63 innings with the Indians this past season. Dierkes believes that he could land a two-year deal.

According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians are unlikely to retain free agent Matt Albers.

The 30-year-old hurler was a very dependable option out of the Indians bullpen in 2013, compiling a 3.14 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 35/23 K/BB ratio over 63 innings. Albers, who earned $1.75 million in 2013, expected to command more money on the open market than the Tribe is willing to pay for his services.

Indians activated RHP Matt Albers from the restricted list.

Albers was excused from the Indians for a week to be present for the birth of his child. He has allowed three earned runs in five innings of relief this season.