Jesse Crain (biceps) is no longer throwing off a mound after developing bursitis in his right elbow. "Early May timetable is no longer early May," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said. Luhnow did not offer a new timetable for the veteran reliever, but Crain won't resume throwing for 7-10 days. Fantasy owners that have stashed Crain hoping for some saves are no doubt growing impatient.

Jesse Crain (biceps) has yet to appear in an extended spring training game. Crain is throwing off a mound but has yet to be cleared for game action. He'll eventually have to go on a rehab assignment after getting into some games at the Astros' spring training complex. Crain had been hoping for an early-to-mid-May return, and it's looking like he'll at least be on the latter end of that timetable.

Jesse Crain (biceps) will continue his rehab in Florida and could throw off a mound as early as Tuesday. "It's a day-by-day thing," Crain said. "I just played catch. Today was my best day throwing - today was my first good day of throwing (since the bullpen). Took it easy." Crain is still shooting for a return in early May despite not yet throwing off a mound this year. The Astros signed the right-hander this winter with the understanding that Crain wouldn't be ready for the start of the season.

Astros placed RHP Jesse Crain on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 21, with a right biceps injury. Crain, who's still recovering from biceps surgery, is expected to join the Astros' bullpen before the end of April. Upon returning, he could very quickly become the favorite for saves in the Houston bullpen.

Jesse Crain (calf, biceps) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session of the spring on Thursday. Crain is on his way back from biceps surgery. He also suffered a right calf strain in February but is recovered from that now. The Astros are hoping that he'll be ready to join their bullpen by the end of April.

Jesse Crain (calf, biceps) could throw off a mound in two weeks. Crain is coming back from biceps tendinitis surgery and more recently a strained right calf. The Astros are hoping that the reliever will be ready to join their bullpen by the end of April.

Astros general manager Jeff Lunhow anticipates that Jesse Crain (calf, biceps) will be able to rejoin the Astros bullpen in late April. Crain had been the favorite to begin the season as the Astros closer, but will now have to win that job away from Chad Qualls once he's back on the field.

Jesse Crain (calf, biceps) went through some agility drills Tuesday. Crain suffered a strained right calf last week, but it's his recovery from offseason biceps surgery that remains the bigger issue. The reliever will begin the season on the disabled list. "The calf's getting a lot better," he said. "I should be out and hopefully running within the next week. The good thing is if I was on the mound throwing and getting ready for the season and this happened, it would be a setback. As far as where I am with my throwing program, it didn't affect any of that."

Jesse Crain (calf) played catch on Saturday. The veteran reliever suffered a calf strain earlier in the week, and is also still in recovery from offseason biceps surgery. His availability for Opening Day looks increasingly doubtful, so it appears that Chad Qualls will be the favorite for save chances to begin the regular season.

An MRI taken Wednesday on Jesse Crain's injured right calf confirmed the original diagnosis of a strain. Crain suffered that injury earlier this week in Astros camp. He was already questionable for Opening Day because of offseason biceps surgery and now the veteran right-hander is sure to open the season on the 15-day disabled list. Chad Qualls will likely begin the 2014 campaign as the Astros' primary ninth-inning man.