Astros eager to add Peacock to weary bullpen

OAKLAND -- After missing nearly two months with shoulder discomfort, veteran right-hander Brad Peacock is expected to be activated from the injured list for Sunday’s series finale against the A’s, giving the Astros a much-needed fresh arm in the bullpen.

Peacock, who’s been out since June 28, went 6-6 with a 4.13 ERA in 17 games, including 15 as a starter for the Astros this year. Peacock is no stranger to the bullpen, having appeared in 60 games in relief last year and splitting time between the bullpen and starting in 2017. Peacock has been on Minor League rehab at Triple-A Round Rock.

“He’s been in the bullpen for the last week or two getting ready,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said. “He can be really good in the 'pen for us if we can get him locked back in the strike zone. He’s a very versatile, very valuable guy in the 'pen. Our 'pen is really beat up.”

The Astros entered Saturday with relievers Ryan Pressly, Joe Smith, Will Harris and Hector Rondon all having thrown three times in the past four days.

“Getting a fresh arm here [Sunday] will be really important,” Hinch said. “Moving forward, he can be really tough on righties. He’s found some weapons for lefties. We just need him to be good.”

Slumping Reddick sits
Outfielder Josh Reddick was out of the starting lineup Saturday. Since the start of July, the veteran is slashing .184/.234/.237 and hasn’t homered since June 28. Reddick’s average has plummeted to .265 from .300 since the end of June.

“We met in Chicago, and I keep encouraging him to find his best swing and find a way to contribute,” Hinch said. “He hit a couple of balls pretty well yesterday. He hasn’t gotten a ton of luck. We do need production out of him. … Our best team has a really tough bottom of the order and that includes Josh Reddick. We've got to get him underway. Pitch selection is important. I can see he’s frustrated after every at-bat, but it can turn quickly for him.”

With Reddick out, George Springer shifted to right field and Jake Marisnick started in center field.

Worth noting
• Right-hander pitcher Francis Martes was reinstated from the restricted list and placed on the Minor League injured list. Martes, who had Tommy John surgery a year ago, was suspended 80 games in March for testing positive for clomiphene, a performance-enhancing substance.

• To make room for right-hander Rogelio Armenteros, who was called up from Triple-A Round Rock to start Saturday’s game, the Astros optioned right-hander Cy Sneed to Round Rock. Sneed allowed a walk-off single to Robbie Grossman in the 13th inning Friday.