Astros report: Hernandez, Straily battling for rotation spot

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - For two Astros righthanders, this past weekend's outing was something of a warmup to the big showdown next weekend.

For Roberto Hernandez, who is the most experienced candidate the Astros have for the final spot in the rotation, and Dan Straily, who might have the highest upside of any candidate and also has prior big league success, Sunday's 14-2 home win over the Pirates will factor into the Astros' decisions.

The pitchers' lines were similar: four innings of one-run ball with two strikeouts for Hernandez and 32⁄3 innings of one-run ball plus four strikeouts for Straily. Both pitchers walked one batter.

But it's the duo's upcoming road appearances Saturday against the Marlins that might end up tipping the scales.

"They're both battling, and there's also other guys involved that didn't pitch today," manager A.J. Hinch said. "Roberto continues to be the veteran that he is. He knows what his strengths are. He dials it up when he needs to and (is) very trustworthy when it comes to what you're going to get from him.

"Straily I thought threw the ball pretty well. I think the ball was coming out of his hand a little bit better than his last outing against Pittsburgh. He continues to utilize all of his pitches. I think falling behind a couple of those hitters (is an area) where it frustrates him a little bit."

Righthanders Asher Wojciechowski and Sam Deduno are also battling for the fifth spot in the rotation. It briefly appeared as though expected No. 4 starter Brett Oberholtzer might not be ready for the start of the season - potentially opening two spots - but those concerns have been dampened.

Hernandez, 34, was a late signee for the Astros just before spring training began and was also a late arrival to camp because of visa issues, but that hasn't interfered much with his spring because he had been throwing in the Dominican Republic. In nine big league seasons, Hernandez is 67-93 with a 4.60 ERA.

Five days before opening day, the Astros will have to put Hernandez on the 25-man roster, release him, or pay him a $100,000 retention bonus to keep him around.

Straily's only damaging moment was a solo home run hit by the Pirates' Jordy Mercer in the sixth. The 26-year-old went 10-8 with a 3.96 ERA in 2013 for the A's and is trying to bounce back from a rough 2014 after coming over from the Cubs in the Dexter Fowler trade.

Carter, Conger show off big bats

Chris Carter homered for a second straight day, this time to left center against the Pirates' Charlie Morton Carter also doubled off Morton. The Astros finished with 17 hits in their 14-2 win and scored eight runs in the fifth.

Catcher Hank Conger, who's had a quiet spring offensively, drove in three runs and finished 2-for-2, including a double on which he came around to score thanks to an error.

Gattis could face former team

Evan Gattis took regular batting practice Sunday, his first time facing live pitching since March 14, and hopes to be the designated hitter in the Astros' Grapefruit League game Monday against the Braves. Gattis is recovering from right wrist soreness.

The starting pitcher for the visiting Braves is slated to be righthander Mike Foltynewicz - one of the players the Astros traded to Atlanta for Gattis this winter. Scott Feldman is set to pitch for the Astros.

Oberholtzer nearing return

Lefthander Brett Oberholtzer tossed a 35-pitch bullpen Sunday, and his next test is set to be a minor league game Wednesday as he comes back from a left lat injury.

All signs point to Oberholtzer's being ready for his first outing in the regular season, likely as the fourth or fifth starter against the Rangers.

Evan Drellich