Astros' general manager Jeff Luhnow said Wednesday that the team's closer spot is wide open. As it should be. Brandon Lyon (shoulder) and David Carpenter are the leading candidates for the gig, but other relievers like Wilton Lopez could also be in the mix. Astros' manager Brad Mills will likely settle on a closer by the end of spring training, but we suspect this could be an area of flux during the season.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow is not yet ready to anoint Brandon Lyon as the team's closer next season. "Lyon has experience and a lot of the closer role really is about having experience in those pressure situations,'' Luhnow said. ''No matter what, whether it's the ninth, eighth or seventh inning, he will play an important role because of his veteran presence." Lyon, who is owed $5.5 million next season, appeared in 15 games before undergoing surgery in June to repair a detached right biceps tendon and a torn labrum. Earlier this month, the Astros may have selected a closer candidate in Rhiner Cruz with the first pick of the Rule 5 Draft. Cruz was clocked at 98 mph last spring, but has struggled with his command.

Alyson Footer of MLB.com lists Brandon Lyon, David Carpenter and Henry Sosa as possible closing candidates for the Astros. The 'Stros need a new stopper now that Mark Melancon is in Boston. Lyon would be the obvious favorite if his recovery from surgery to repair a detached right biceps tendon and a torn labrum goes well, but that's no safe bet. Carpenter pitched relatively well down the stretch last season, while Sosa has been starting but is probably destined for the bullpen over the long haul. It's possible hard-throwing Rule 5 pick Rhiner Cruz could eventually get into the mix, but he's way too raw right now.

Brandon Lyon (biceps) has been stretched out to 90 feet in his throwing program. Lyon's season ended in early May after he was shut down and eventually underwent surgery to repair a detached right biceps tendon and a torn labrum. "He's not reporting any problems," agent Barry Meister said. "He feels like he's building arm strength." The Astros haven't said whether they expect Lyon to be ready for spring training, but it sounds like he has a shot.

Astros activated RHP Brandon Lyon from the 60-day disabled list. Lyon posted an ugly 11.48 ERA over 15 appearances before undergoing season-ending surgery in June to repair a detached right biceps tendon and a torn labrum. The Astros still owe him $5.5 million next season.

Astros transferred RHP Brandon Lyon from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list. The move was made in order to clear some 40-man roster space for a couple acquisitions in the Michael Bourn deal. Lyon is out for the season following surgery to repair his detached right biceps tendon and a torn labrum.

Brandon Lyon, who underwent season-ending surgery Thursday to repair his detached right biceps tendon and a torn labrum, will begin range-of-motion exercises in two weeks. Lyon will certainly miss the remainder of the 2011 season, but the Astros, likely because the procedure was an unfamiliar one, haven't said whether they expect the righty to be 100 percent by spring training. He has one year remaining on the three-year, $15 deal he signed before the 2010 season.

Brandon Lyon is scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery on his right biceps muscle next Thursday. The procedure will be performed by Dr. James Andrews. Lyon opened the season as the Astros' closer but allowed 17 earned runs in 13 1/3 innings before a biceps tendon injury put him out for good. Mark Melancon seems likely to finish out the year as the Houston closer.

Brandon Lyon is likely to undergo season-ending surgery to fix a biceps tendon in his pitching arm. Lyon's tendon is "out of its groove" and is unlikely to improve with rest and rehabilitation, so surgery appears to be the only option. It's a rare procedure, as Dr. Lewis Yocum and Dr. David Lintner, who have both examined Lyon, couldn't think of one pitcher that has had the operation. For that reason, it's not clear how long Lyon might be sidelined, though he certainly would not return this season. Mark Melancon is likely to remain the Astros closer for the rest of the year.