Astros' general manager Jeff Luhnow said Wednesday that the team's closer spot is wide open.

As it should be. Brandon Lyon (shoulder) and David Carpenter are the leading candidates for the gig, but other relievers like Wilton Lopez could also be in the mix. Astros' manager Brad Mills will likely settle on a closer by the end of spring training, but we suspect this could be an area of flux during the season.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow is not yet ready to anoint Brandon Lyon as the team's closer next season.

"Lyon has experience and a lot of the closer role really is about having experience in those pressure situations,'' Luhnow said. ''No matter what, whether it's the ninth, eighth or seventh inning, he will play an important role because of his veteran presence." Lyon, who is owed $5.5 million next season, appeared in 15 games before undergoing surgery in June to repair a detached right biceps tendon and a torn labrum. Earlier this month, the Astros may have selected a closer candidate in Rhiner Cruz with the first pick of the Rule 5 Draft. Cruz was clocked at 98 mph last spring, but has struggled with his command.

Alyson Footer of MLB.com lists Brandon Lyon, David Carpenter and Henry Sosa as possible closing candidates for the Astros.

The 'Stros need a new stopper now that Mark Melancon is in Boston. Lyon would be the obvious favorite if his recovery from surgery to repair a detached right biceps tendon and a torn labrum goes well, but that's no safe bet. Carpenter pitched relatively well down the stretch last season, while Sosa has been starting but is probably destined for the bullpen over the long haul. It's possible hard-throwing Rule 5 pick Rhiner Cruz could eventually get into the mix, but he's way too raw right now.

Brandon Lyon (biceps) has been stretched out to 90 feet in his throwing program.

Lyon's season ended in early May after he was shut down and eventually underwent surgery to repair a detached right biceps tendon and a torn labrum. "He's not reporting any problems," agent Barry Meister said. "He feels like he's building arm strength." The Astros haven't said whether they expect Lyon to be ready for spring training, but it sounds like he has a shot.

Astros activated RHP Brandon Lyon from the 60-day disabled list.

Lyon posted an ugly 11.48 ERA over 15 appearances before undergoing season-ending surgery in June to repair a detached right biceps tendon and a torn labrum. The Astros still owe him $5.5 million next season.

Astros transferred RHP Brandon Lyon from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.

The move was made in order to clear some 40-man roster space for a couple acquisitions in the Michael Bourn deal. Lyon is out for the season following surgery to repair his detached right biceps tendon and a torn labrum.

Brandon Lyon, who underwent season-ending surgery Thursday to repair his detached right biceps tendon and a torn labrum, will begin range-of-motion exercises in two weeks.

Lyon will certainly miss the remainder of the 2011 season, but the Astros, likely because the procedure was an unfamiliar one, haven't said whether they expect the righty to be 100 percent by spring training. He has one year remaining on the three-year, $15 deal he signed before the 2010 season.

Brandon Lyon is scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery on his right biceps muscle next Thursday.

The procedure will be performed by Dr. James Andrews. Lyon opened the season as the Astros' closer but allowed 17 earned runs in 13 1/3 innings before a biceps tendon injury put him out for good. Mark Melancon seems likely to finish out the year as the Houston closer.

Brandon Lyon is likely to undergo season-ending surgery to fix a biceps tendon in his pitching arm.

Lyon's tendon is "out of its groove" and is unlikely to improve with rest and rehabilitation, so surgery appears to be the only option. It's a rare procedure, as Dr. Lewis Yocum and Dr. David Lintner, who have both examined Lyon, couldn't think of one pitcher that has had the operation. For that reason, it's not clear how long Lyon might be sidelined, though he certainly would not return this season. Mark Melancon is likely to remain the Astros closer for the rest of the year.

Brandon Lyon will have his arm examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum on Friday in Los Angeles.

The Astros may be concerned that Lyon has some structural damage. The 31-year-old former closer has allowed 17 earned runs in 13 1/3 innings this season.

Astros placed RHP Brandon Lyon on the 15-day disabled list with right biceps tendinitis.

Lyon has struggled mightily since returning from his last stint on the disabled list, allowing eight earned runs in three appearances. The Astros are likely to stay with Mark Melancon at closer going forward.

Brandon Lyon was handed the loss for allowing three runs on four hits and a walk Saturday against the Braves.

Lyon entered a tie game in the top 10th inning and failed to retire a batter. He threw just nine out of 21 pitches for strikes and allowed the decisive go-ahead three-run homer to Brian McCann. It's safe to say he's not ready to take the closer gig back from Mark Melancon.

Astros activated RHP Brandon Lyon from the 15-day disabled list.

Lyon has been sidelined since early May with biceps tendinitis and a partial rotator cuff tear. Astros manager Brad Mills plans to ease him back in to the closer role, so Mark Melancon will continue to pitch in the ninth-inning for at least a little while longer.

Brandon Lyon (rotator cuff) tossed a perfect rehab inning Tuesday at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Lyon needed only 10 pitches and had eight of those deliveries tallied as strikes. The right-hander is expected to return from the disabled list -- and possibly to the Astros' ninth inning gig -- by the end of this week.

Brandon Lyon (rotator cuff) threw a scoreless rehab inning Sunday at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Lyon allowed two hits but fared well in damage control. The right-hander has been on the disabled list since early May with a partially torn rotator cuff and is on track to return within a week. He stands a good chance of quickly reclaiming ninth inning duties from Mark Melancon.

Brandon Lyon (rotator cuff) threw for about 10 minutes on flat ground Monday.

Lyon also threw for about six minutes on Friday and Saturday, but he's still in the process of building up arm strength. "We'll probably know a little bit more after he has a few days of throwing," said Astros manager Brad Mills. Though his job isn't exactly stable, Mark Melancon should continue to get looks in the ninth inning for now.

Brandon Lyon (rotator cuff) does not expect to return from the disabled list when he's eligible.

Lyon was placed on the disabled list last week with a partially torn rotator cuff, but has already felt some improvement after receiving a cortisone shot. "It's going to take time, and when I feel like it's time for me to start throwing and I'm strong enough to start throwing, that will be the time," said Lyon. "We haven't put a time frame on it. Even in the last couple of days when I haven't thrown, I can totally tell a difference." Astros manager Brad Mills hasn't committed to a replacement for Lyon, but Mark Melancon looks like the one to own in mixed leagues.

Brandon Lyon will fly to Houston on Thursday to be examined by Dr. David Lintner for shoulder weakness.

Lyon has allowed nine runs on 21 hits over his first 11 1/3 innings this season and has blown four out of his first eight save chances, so it's not surprising to learn that he may be having some physical problems. Wilton Lopez just recently returned from the disabled list, so Mark Melancon looks like the speculative grab here.

Brandon Lyon blew his fourth save after giving up three runs in the ninth Wednesday against the Reds.

The Astros allowed just one hit all day until Lyon gave up four in the ninth. His ERA is up to 7.15, and he has to be in serious danger of getting yanked from the closer's role for a few weeks. The Astros could try Mark Melancon in the ninth for a while.

Brandon Lyon blew another save in Saturday's late victory over the Brewers.

Astros outfielder Jason Bourgeois saved Lyon another dose of embarrassment when he drove in the game's winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. The 31-year-old closer has now blown three saves in seven chances and could be in trouble with one more hiccup.