Roy Oswalt News: Pro Sports Daily

0 Comment

September 7

Denver Post

"The weekend began with the general manager lamenting his team's execution. And it ends today with the Rockies trying to avoid the guillotine. If anyone can make a convincing argument for hope, it's Colorado. But the Rockies learned last season that miracle stories have expiration dates. And this fall, it feels like someone checked out the flick at Blockbuster while they were trying to find a parking spot. Saturday's sobering truth: Astros 2, Rockies 0. The loss sank Colorado 5 1/2 games behind the Dodgers, who moved into first place for the first time this season. The Rockies have 19 games remaining. The next three weeks aren't so much a playoff push as Robert the Bruce imploring Scottish ..."

Oswalt hurls 1-hitter as Astros top Rockies 2-0

0 Comment

September 7

Houston Chronicle

"Astros ace Roy Oswalt is putting together a second half to remember. Oswalt threw the second one-hitter in the history of Coors Field and Hunter Pence hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning to lead the Astros to a 2-0 win Saturday night over the Colorado Rockies. Oswalt (14-9) won for the eighth time in his past nine decisions. He hit two batters, walked two, struck out six and threw 102 pitches (70 strikes). The only hit Oswalt allowed came on a Brad Hawpe roller through the middle to start the fifth inning. Despite the win, the Astros failed to gain ground on the National League wild card- leading Milwaukee Brewers and remain seven games out with 20 games remaining in the season. The ..."

Astros blank Cubs 3-0 to extend win streak to 6

0 Comment

September 2

Houston Chronicle

"Not even the best team in the National League could cool off the streaking Astros. Roy Oswalt dominated the Chicago Cubs for 81/3 innings before handing the ball to closer Jose Valverde, who polished off the Astros’ sixth consecutive win, 3-0 over the NL Central leaders Monday afternoon. Oswalt (13-9) won for the seventh time in eight starts and combined with Valverde to pitch the Astros’ second consecutive shutout. Valverde’s save was his NL-leading 38th and his fifth in the Astros’ last six games. “Magnificent if you want to choose a word,” Astros manager Cecil Cooper said of Oswalt. “Just an overpowering performance.” Valverde got Derrek Lee to fly out to deep right field for the final ..."

Oswalt lifts spirits with solid outing

0 Comment

July 29

Houston Chronicle

"With each inning Roy Oswalt threw Monday night, Astros closer Jose Valverde rejoiced. Manager Cecil Cooper and many on the team did, too. Whether the ace righthander understood it, every healthy inning on his part was a boost to his teammates’ psyche. Porter’s Adam Dunn almost ruined Oswalt’s return to the mound at Minute Maid Park with a monstrous grand slam. But Geoff Blum countered with a two-run homer to push the Astros to a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. “He’s back,” Cooper, sporting a wide smile, said of Oswalt. Lasting more than one inning for the first time since he strained his left hip abductor on June 30, Oswalt (8-8) limited the damage to Dunn’s slam while giving the ..."

Oswalt set to return tonight

0 Comment

July 28

Houston Chronicle

"Roy Oswalt will return from the disabled list tonight against the Cincinnati Reds and make his first start since July 11. Oswalt has worked one inning since he strained his left hip June 30. Oswalt returns just in time to face a Reds team he’s dominated. He’s 19-1 with a 2.46 ERA in 24 career games, including 22 starts, against Cincinnati. “I’m confident that (the injury) is gone, but if he does say he feels something, you have to be extremely cautious,” manager Cecil Cooper said. “You don’t want to have a reoccurrence. They’ll watch him real closely in the bullpen when he’s warming up.”"

Oswalt says he will pitch Monday

0 Comment

July 26

Houston Chronicle

"After throwing about 30 pitches off the Miller Park mound prior to Friday’s game, righthander Roy Oswalt said he’s ready to come off the disabled list and start Monday against Cincinnati. Oswalt, who has been limited to one inning this month because of a left hip strain, threw at 100 percent while facing teammates Hunter Pence and Geoff Blum. “It went pretty well,” Oswalt said. “I felt no pain. Hopefully, I can get out there and get some innings.” Oswalt (7-8, 4.56 ERA) hasn’t pitched since throwing one inning July 11 at Washington when he aggravated a hip injury that initially began hurting him June 30. “It seems like I haven’t pitched in a while,” Oswalt said. “Hopefully, I’ll get out ..."

So far, so good

0 Comment

July 24

Houston Chronicle

"Roy Oswalt, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hip abductor muscle, threw a bullpen session before Wednesday’s game against Pittsburgh at Minute Maid Park. Oswalt (7-8, 4.56 ERA) threw 40 or 50 pitches, saying he felt good afterward. He will know more when he throws another session before Friday’s game at Milwaukee. “It was pretty much fastballs and changeups,” Oswalt said. “The next time I pitch, it will be everything. It felt good. I didn’t throw 100 percent. I probably threw 75 or 80 percent, and it was pretty good. I’ll know a lot more Friday. I’ll throw 100 percent on Friday and see how it goes.” If all goes well, Oswalt is scheduled to start Monday against ..."

Hip injury sidelines Oswalt

0 Comment

July 20

Houston Chronicle

"Astros righthander Roy Oswalt was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a nagging left hip abductor strain that has limited him to one inning on the mound in July. Oswalt, who originally suffered the injury June 30 and aggravated it by throwing an inning July 11, could return to the rotation July 28. He underwent an MRI on Saturday that confirmed the injury and revealed a small disk protrusion. "It's probably the smart thing to do more than anything," Oswalt, 30, said. "It feels pretty decent right now, but I don't want to go out there and throw one or two innings and make the bullpen pick up the rest of it."

Trip to DL possible for ailing Oswalt

0 Comment

July 19

Houston Chronicle

"Roy Oswalt tried to put a positive spin on it, but it appears the Astros' ace will land on the disabled list or at least not be able to start on schedule Tuesday because of a left hip abductor strain. Oswalt, who was ordered not to throw during the four-day All-Star break, will throw today for the first time since he exited after one inning on July 11 against the Washington Nationals. Unless he's 100 percent today, Oswalt likely will not start Tuesday."

Patience trumps home remedies for Oswalt

0 Comment

July 11

Houston Chronicle

"Oswalt insists the cure for his early-season woes might have been nothing more than getting his arm in shape, something which took a little longer than expected. The Astros righthander has thrown more than 210 innings in each of the previous four seasons. Oswalt's mechanics and control were an issue, but just as he appeared to have turned the corner in June he suffered a nagging injury to his left side that forced him to miss a start. But the Astros' ace is pain-free and will return to the mound tonight for the opener of a three-game series at the Washington Nationals."

Oswalt feeling better after bullpen session

1 Comment

July 9

Houston Chronicle

"Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt threw about 35 pitches in the bullpen at PNC Park on Tuesday afternoon with manager Cecil Cooper and pitching coach Dewey Robinson watching closely. Oswalt said he was pain-free. Oswalt hasn't pitched since June 30 because of a pain in his side, a condition caused by a worn-down disk in his back. He had an injection into the area Saturday and will start Friday in Washington."

Oswalt close to return

0 Comment

July 8

Houston Chronicle

"Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt said Monday he expects to start Friday against the Washington Nationals. He hasn't started since June 30 when he was diagnosed with a strained left hip muscle. Oswalt said Monday his sciatic nerve is inflamed because he has a worn disk in his back. The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that starts in the lower back and runs through the buttocks and into the lower limbs. Oswalt flew to Houston on Saturday and had a painkilling shot in his back and said Monday he felt "great." He threw off flat ground and will throw a bullpen session today."

Oswalt gets next start pushed back further

0 Comment

July 6

Houston Chronicle

"Astros righthander Roy Oswalt flew to Houston on Saturday morning to have his ailing left hip examined and will miss his next scheduled start Tuesday. Brandon Backe will start in his place. Oswalt, who left Monday's game with a strained left hip abductor, saw back specialist Dr. Mike McCann in Houston and will rejoin the team today in Atlanta. He will throw off flat ground Monday and throw a bullpen session Tuesday before being re-evaluated."

Oswalt's next start pushed back

0 Comment

July 4

Houston Chronicle

"After Roy Oswalt gave an honest assessment of his strained left hip abductor during a brief chat with Astros manager Cecil Cooper, Oswalt's next scheduled start was pushed back until Tuesday. Chris Sampson will take Oswalt's turn in the rotation Saturday at Atlanta. "You have to take how they feel and what they're thinking too into consideration," Cooper said. "Then you have to consider the big picture. And the big picture says let's skip one (start.) And if we have to skip two, we skip two. That's the bottom line. His health is the most important thing.""

Oswalt's hip improved

0 Comment

July 2

Houston Chronicle

(scroll down)

"A day after exiting after six strong innings with a left hip strain, Astros ace righthander Roy Oswalt said he felt better than he expected to feel Tuesday. Yet, it's too early to tell if he'll start on schedule Saturday against the Atlanta Braves or wait until Sunday, or even Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Oswalt suffered the injury on his last pitch, a curveball, Monday while beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1. While manager Cecil Cooper and Oswalt are cautious, there's a chance the team could mix and match from the current crop of pitchers on staff with Chris Sampson, Oscar Villarreal and Tim Byrdak as possibilities to throw at least 40-50 pitches in an outing."

Oswalt leaves game with injury as Astros down Dodgers

0 Comment

July 1

Houston Chronicle

"For six innings Monday night, Roy Oswalt's curveball was as wicked as it has ever been. His fastball, hitting 95 and 96 mph at times, also was impressive, giving reason to believe the Astros' ace might pitch a complete game as he took the mound to warm up for the seventh. The mood at Minute Maid Park soured a bit, however, when Oswalt exited with a left hip abductor strain before throwing a pitch in the seventh. Now he must wait to see just how bittersweet a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers was."

Starting over not in Astros' plans

0 Comment

June 28

Houston Chronicle

columnist Richard Justice

"Got some bad news for you, Roy O. You're not going anywhere. Tough luck, buddy. You didn't really want to pitch for the Yankees. I mean, think of the traffic hassles and housing costs. No way you can find a decent chicken-fried steak in the Bronx anyway. Sure the playoffs would be nice, but you can spend the fall on that bulldozer and maybe it won't be so bad. Anyway, that's the message from Drayton McLane this week. There'll be no blowing up the roster and starting over. Never mind that the glass appears to be broken. Drayton is relentlessly optimistic, and there are worse things you can say about a man."

Sunday no walk in the park for Oswalt

0 Comment

June 16

Houston Chronicle

"In the spirit of Father's Day, the New York Yankees played a dominating game of "Who's Your Daddy?" with Astros starter Roy Oswalt on Sunday. After the Yankees belted Oswalt and the Astros around, rolling to a 13-0 laugher to complete a series sweep at Minute Maid Park, manager Cecil Cooper decided to tee off on his players a bit more, calling the performance — or lack thereof — "a total embarrassment." After the game, the Astros' fifth consecutive loss, a subdued Oswalt shook off his manager's words. "I wouldn't say we're embarrassed," he said. "We're not playing well, but that's baseball. A lot of things have been going wrong.""

Should the Astros have a fire sale?

0 Comment

June 16

Houston Chronicle

"Maybe it's time for the Astros to shop closer Jose Valverde to a team in contention. Perhaps they should get Carlos Lee, Roy Oswalt and — dare I say it? — even Lance Berkman to approve a trade elsewhere. I would keep Berkman, but I'd listen to trade offers for Lee, Oswalt and Valverde, as long as Lee and Oswalt bypass their no-trade clauses. If I had to trade one of them, it would be Lee. His two years into a six-year, $100 million deal, and that has the makings of a terrible contract in the near future. He's still an RBI machine, so shop him. That's if you can get him to agree to a trade. The bottom line is this club is in need of a serious overhaul, and there's not enough that can be ..."

Ace righthander travels back to the future to find gem

0 Comment

June 11

Houston Chronicle

columnist Richard Justice

"Remember this Roy Oswalt? Sure you do. He was once among the best hardball throwers in the land. At his very best, he's not fancy. Far from it. That 95 mph heater will shatter your bat. That big, screaming curveball will buckle your knees. One of his current teammates, Geoff Blum, sat in the Montreal dugout and watched Oswalt's big league debut in 2001. He decided then and there that he hated Roy Oswalt. "I'm thinking, 'Who does this guy think he is?' " Blum remembered. "Pretty cocky." Yep. Was then. Is now. Thank goodness."

Oswalt slows down Brewers, snaps losing streak

0 Comment

June 11

Houston Chronicle

"The unprecedented struggles Roy Oswalt has endured for much of this season have forced him to look for some unconventional sources of inspiration and instruction. Why else would Oswalt have asked teammate Lance Berkman to stand in the batter's box during his bullpen session Friday to help him pinpoint just what might have gone awry? Berkman's advice helped Oswalt on the mound Tuesday night, and his bat helped the Astros roar to a 6-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in a series opener at Minute Maid Park."

Oswalt burned in first

May 30

Houston Chronicle

"Roy Oswalt was a strike away from an eight-pitch first inning. All he needed was to finish off Albert Pujols, a task that is never easy for the Astros. Pujols wouldn't let Oswalt escape. He fouled off the first 1-2 pitch and ripped the next one for a single to left, beginning the two-run rally that propelled the St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-2 win Thursday night at Busch Stadium."

As his free fall continues, Oswalt agonizes over what's wrong

May 24

Houston Chronicle

columnist Steve Campbell

"Roy O. would like to say it ain't so, but he doesn't want to lie. To himself. To anybody who has been paying attention. "I'm pitching like a minor leaguer," Roy Oswalt said. The words are harsh, but they're more accurate than his fastball and curveball have been lately. The 2008 story of O has been a tale of woe — one the Astros need to end more happily than it has begun."

Oswalt to start Thursday

May 20

Houston Chronicle

"Still being cautious with the pain he felt during his start Saturday night, Roy Oswalt was optimistic about taking his next turn in the rotation. Yet Oswalt will skip his regular in-between-starts bullpen session. Oswalt threw between 25-30 pitches off flat ground Monday. After he was examined by Dr. Dave Lintner, the Astros announced Oswalt will start Thursday against Philadelphia at Minute Maid Park. "I didn't throw hard or nothing," Oswalt said. "I'll see how I feel tomorrow. I'm going to try to throw tomorrow some and go from there. It's not a muscle so that's a good thing. I think it's just inflamed more than anything.""