Astros' Brett Oberholtzer throws BP, to pitch in extended spring

Astros pitcher Brett Oberholtzer (blister) threw live batting practice Monday at the team's minor league complex in Kissimmee, FL, and is expected to pitch in an extend spring game towards the end of the week, according to MLB.com.

Oberholtzer has been out all season with a blister on his index finger.

"I think it’s resolved," manager A.J. Hinch said of the blister. "Otherwise, we wouldn’t put him in a game. But it sounds like the skin over the finger is game ready."

Oberholtzer won’t be able to be inserted in the rotation until some time in May at the earliest, so Hinch said he'll throw two- to three-inning outings at first and build him up from there.

"We’re just happy to get him on the mound against competitive hitters, work on his pitching and not on his skin," Hinch added.

Oberholtzer was a candidate late in spring training for a spot in the Astros' starting rotation before the blister issue.