Quick injury update for the Astros.

Starting pitchers Wandy Rodriguez and Brandon Backe both have sustained strained muscles during spring training. Backe had a strained muscle a few years ago, and it took about a month to heal. Wandy’s injury was earlier this Spring, so he should be ready to go when the season starts. If Backe is out, I think Fernando Nieve gets his spot.

Nieve had a horrendous 2008, going 0-1 with an 8.44 ERA and ridiculously high 1.78 WHIP through 11 innings. He didn’t pitch in 07, but his 2006 numbers are not much better. Through 40 games as a relief man, he pitched 96 innings, posted an ERA of 4.20,  a respectable WHIP of 1.33, and 70 strikeouts.

The future of the an already shaky rotation looks bad.

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