Houston Astros News And Notes: Roy Oswalt Sharp in Opener

With the season underway, let’s see what is going on in the world of the Houston Astros.

Lance Berkman Gets Knee Drained…Again

If once you don’t succeed, try, try, try, and try again. Berkman had his left knee drained for a fifth time yesterday. You are reading correctly—a fifth time.

However, unlike the first four times Berkman had his knee drained, this time it might have actually worked.

“The last four times I had it done, it swelled right back up, but this time it stayed down a little bit and some of that has to do with the fact they included a cortisone injection with that and that keeps it from swelling,” said Berkman.

While that might be a sprinkling of good news for Astro fans, there is no timetable for Berkman’s return. Berkman is eligible to come off the DL on Saturday, but I highly doubt that will happen.

Oswalt Solid in Debut

Oswalt was hurt for the better part of spring training and even received a shot in his lower back last week, but he looked really good on Opening Day against the San Francisco Giants.

Even though he was out-pitched by Tim Lincecum, Oswalt hurled six solid innings, giving up three runs while striking out three. His fastball was consistently in the mid-90s and if you take out the second inning, Oswalt matched Lincecum pitch for pitch.

I think if there is one thing Oswalt would like to improve on in his second start, it would be his off-speed stuff. His curve and change up weren’t as sharp as I believe Oswalt would like them to be.

But Astro fans have to be encouraged by Oswalt’s start.

Felipe Paulino Wins No. 5 Starter Spot

It was a last man standing match for the fifth starter spot between Paulino and Brian Moehler and Paulino had his hand raised in the center of the ring.

Paulino used a 3.78 ERA in 16.2 IP to earn the spot during the regular season. I am not sold on Paulino, however. In his two years with the Astros, Paulino had a 7.11 and 6.27 ERA respectively.

Unless Paulino has the turnaround of a lifetime, I just don’t see it.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg