Houston Astros Team Report

INSIDE PITCH Astros hitting coach Sean Berry, who had a cancerous kidney removed Friday morning at the Methodist Hospital of Houston, was released from the hospital Monday. Berry's right kidney was removed by Dr. James Goldfarb, a renowned urologist. "Thank you for all the messages of support," Berry said. "I would like to especially thank Dr. James Muntz (one of the Astros' team physicians) and Dr. James Goldfarb and everyone at The Methodist Hospital for their expertise and professionalism. "I also greatly appreciate the understanding and first-class actions by the Astros organization in helping myself and my family through this difficult time. I will be back soon." In Berry's absence, third-base coach Dave Clark is helping with the hitting coach's duties. Berry is expected to return to work with the Astros in two weeks.NOTES, QUOTESRHP Jeff Fulchino was optioned back to Class AAA Round Rock on Sunday. He had posted a 5.91 ERA over two stints with the club. With his demotion the Astros moved back to 12 pitchers and 13 position players after going to 13 pitchers and 12 position players on Wednesday.IF Jason Smith, who was 0-for-21 before he was designated for assignment on Thursday, was re-signed on Sunday to help back up in the infield. 1B Lance Berkman has been out because of a sore wrist.RHP Brandon Backe, who has been on the disabled list with a strained left intercostals muscle, threw six scoreless innings Friday in a rehab start for Class AA Corpus Christi. He threw 82 on Friday for the Hooks. "It's more or less like I'm in spring training again trying to build my arm up to 100 pitches," he said. "It's a slow process."C Humberto Quintero (strained right shoulder) went 0-for-3 in a rehab assignment for Class AAA Round Rock, and barring any setbacks, he will rejoin the team Tuesday in Colorado.BY THE NUMBERS: 1 Astros ace righthander Roy Oswalt, who was 10-2 after the All-Star Break last year, earned his first victory of the season Sunday, May 10. QUOTE OF NOTE: "Obviously I have to be worried. We're in May. We're almost on May 15 and we're still struggling. This guy (Lance Berkman) is one of the best hitters in the game. And, yeah, I am a little worried about him." Manager Cecil Cooper, after dropping Lance Berkman to fifth in the lineup.ROSTER REPORTC J.R. Towles was optioned to Class AAA Round Rock on Monday, an off day for the Astros. Towles hit .182 (2-for-11) in four games, three starts, after being recalled April 25. C Humberto Quintero, who suffered a strained right shoulder on April 24 when he was smashed by Milwaukee's Mike Cameron in a collision at the plate, will be activated off the disabled list and join the Astros in Colorado for the start of a three-game series against the Rockies on Tuesday. He was 1-for-10 during his four-game rehab assignment at Class AAA Round Rock.1B Lance Berkman, who missed the entire three-game series sweep against the Padres because of a sore left wrist, might be ready to return to the lineup Tuesday for the start of the three-game series against the Rockies at Coors Field. Berkman has not played since he was 0-for-5 with four strikeouts Thursday against the Cubs.RHP Felipe Paulino will start Tuesday against the Rockies. Paulino struggled in the bullpen after being put there after posting a 2.55 ERA over three starts. "I feel more comfortable in the starting rotation, but I was trying to do 100 percent in the bullpen, too," he said. "I'm ready to do whatever they want."C Ivan Rodriguez went 4-for-4 with a home run and a triple Sunday in the Astros' 12-5 win over the Padres. MEDICAL WATCH: 1B Lance Berkman (sprained left wrist) sat out May 8-10. He is day-to-day. RHP Roy Oswalt (bone bruise on right index finger) left the May 5 game. He expects to make his May 10 start. C Humberto Quintero (strained right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list April 25. He began a rehab assignment May 8 with Class AAA Round Rock, and he is expected to be activated May 12. RHP Brandon Backe (strained left side muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list March 27. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Round Rock on April 27, and he moved his rehab to Class AA Corpus Christi on May 3. He could return to the Astros in late May. RHP Jose Valverde (strained right calf) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 27. He had fluid drained from the calf April 30 and May 1, and he might be out until early June. RHP Doug Brocail (torn left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list May 4. He is out at least a month, and if he ultimately requires surgery, he would miss the rest of the season. INF Aaron Boone (open-heart surgery on March 26) went on the 15-day disabled list March 27, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 10. He was uncertain whether he'd resume his career. ROTATION: RHP Roy Oswalt LHP Wandy Rodriguez LHP Mike Hampton RHP Brian Moehler RHP Felipe Paulino BULLPEN: RHP LaTroy Hawkins (closer) LHP Wesley Wright RHP Geoff Geary LHP Tim Byrdak RHP Chris Sampson RHP Jeff Fulchino RHP Alberto Arias RHP Russ Ortiz CATCHERS: Ivan Rodriguez Humberto Quintero INFIELDERS: 1B Lance Berkman 2B Kaz Matsui SS Miguel Tejada 3B Geoff Blum INF Jeff Keppinger OUTFIELDERS: LF Carlos Lee CF Michael Bourn RF Hunter Pence OF/1B Darin Erstad OF Jason Michaels