BOSTON -- Astros right-handed pitching prospect David Paulino, who was eligible to come off the suspension list on Sunday, was instead placed on the 60-day disabled list after undergoing surgery Friday in Houston to remove bone spurs in his right elbow, the team announced.
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Paulino, the Astros' No. 6-ranked prospect by MLBPipeline.com, was suspended 80 games without pay on July 1. for testing positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Paulino is expected to be ready for Spring Training.
"It was an awkward timeline for him not being healthy and having one day left in the season [that] he was going to be eligible," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "He'll rehab over the winter."
The 23-year-old Paulino, who made his Major League debut last year, was 2-0 with a 6.52 ERA in six starts for the Astros this season. While at Double-A Corpus Christi last year, Paulino was suspended by the Astros for an undisclosed violation of team rules.
Reddick expected to work out Tuesday
Outfielder Josh Reddick, who missed the final week of the regular season with a sore back, should be able to work out on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. Reddick left Boston on Friday and returned to Houston to have his back examined by team doctors.
"I'm assuming we're going to face [Red Sox lefty ace Chris] Sale on Thursday, so I'll have a decision to make whether he plays or not from a baseball standpoint," Hinch said. "We're hoping the health part of it will be answered by then."
The Red Sox announced Sale as their Game 1 starter of the American League Division Series presented by Doosan. He's 5-1 with a 1.31 ERA in six career starts against the Astros. Reddick is 3-for-14 in his career against Sale.
Rotation plans
Hinch said he will announce his starters for Game 1 and Game 2 of the ALDS on Tuesday, prior to the team's workout at Minute Maid Park. The 25-man playoff roster has to be set by Wednesday night. The Astros will take off Monday and work out at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"This time off between Sunday and Thursday is a blessing and a curse," Hinch said. "The blessing part of it is we can freshen up and feel really good going into the Division Series, and the curse is we're just not used to having that much time away from seeing pitches or making pitches or making defensive plays. It'll be similar to the All-Star break where we'll have a workout or two, and adrenaline will be sky high on Thursday."
Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel threw three innings in a simulated game prior to Sunday's game at Fenway Park, facing J.D. Davis, Colin Moran, Tyler White and Derek Fisher. Keuchel was in line to pitch Sunday, but the Astros held him out because nothing was on the line and he will face the Red Sox in the ALDS later this week. Justin Verlander, Houston's likely Game 1 starter, threw in the bullpen at Fenway Park following Saturday's game.
"We're going to be a la carte with their preparation before their next outings," Hinch said.