Keuchel close to easing itch to pitch

Dallas Keuchel knows the Astros’ minor league schedule a little too well right now.

The Astros ace will throw his second rehab assignment on Saturday in a to-bedetermined location.

After throwing a bullpen session on Wednesday — the day his Astros fell 4-1 to the Mariners at Minute Maid Park — Keuchel stood at his locker and rattled off the teams and their upcoming games.

“Corpus is in Midland, Fresno is in Vegas,” he said.

His grin peaked through the beard that the Astros have been missing for weeks now.

“Maybe I will be going to Vegas,” he joked.

There’s also a chance to pitch for Class A Tri City in Lowell, Mass., which is closer to Baltimore — where the Astros will be for three days starting Friday before going to Philadelphia.

In the last couple of weeks, while hoping to rejoin his team, Keuchel has looked at maps, schedules and possibilities for his next assignment, his next chance to throw and get back to normal.

Now there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

Keuchel says he feels good as he recovers from a pinched nerve in his neck. He’s definitely in high spirits, taking each step of his rehab with a go-getter attitude.

“At the same time,” he said of going through the motions with a positive outlook, “it’s disappointing. I haven’t been able to help my team in six weeks. I just want to be able to focus on the Astros.”

The Astros want that, too.

The team misses K eu ch el. It now also misses Carlos Corr ea, who under went successful surgery on his thumb Wednesday and is expected to be out six to eight weeks rehabbing the injury.

Keuchel is hoping his own return is coming soon.

“I feel good,” he said. “I have normal soreness. It’s so much better than pain. I welcome the soreness.”

Keuchel’s first rehab assignment went well. On Monday, the ace built his pitch count up to 46 while throwing for Class AA Corpus Christi.

In three scoreless innings, Keuchel allowed two hits and a walk. Thirty of his pitches were strikes.

He said he isn’t going to change things up Saturday.

He’s going to show up and try to build his pitch count.

He’s going to try to get closer to a return.

Keuchel was in good spirits Wednesday, but he is champing at the bit to come back.

He doesn’t want to know minor league schedules anymore.

He wants to contribute to the Astros.

“These are my guys,” he said. “It’s hard not to be with them.”

Big pieces missing

While the loss of Keuchel has stung and Correa’s absence also will be felt — Wednesday with its handful of small defensive lapses and lack of timely hits was an example of that — the two being back in time for the playoffs should keep the club’s outlook positive.

The Astros have put themselves in a great position this season, and with all the right pieces in place, will make some noise in the postseason.

In the meantime, the pitching rotation can work to improve while waiting for Keuchel’s return. Collin McHugh will start Saturday in Baltimore, which is a big boost to the staff.

One of the positives from Wednesday’s game was the continued success of Francis Martes, who pitched 21⁄3 scoreless innings to finish the game.

Wednesday was a downer for the Astros, but Keuchel’s imminent return and Correa’s successful surgery are both steps in the right direction.

The playoffs are on the horizon and if all goes well, those two pieces will be back in time.

Sizable incentive

That’s one of the things that keeps Keuchel in a good mood as he pushes through.

He’s sick of learning the minor league schedule and doesn’t want any more frequent flier miles to dash around the country rehabbing.

But he knows if he sticks it out, soon he will be off the DL and back on track with his team as they work toward the goals they set in spring training.

“This is like a mini offseason for me,” Keuchel said. “So hopefully I will be back for that playoff run.”

Until then, he’ll know more about the minor league schedule than most.

It’s a necessary part of his return.

And hopefully one he can be rid of soon.