Gustave (flexor strain) has started a throwing program, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gustave has resided on the disabled list since late-April, but has been unable to start a throwing program due to recurring arm soreness. He'll give it another shot at the team's facility in West Palm Beach, but this development doesn't necessarily outline a clear return timetable for the reliever.

Gustave was diagnosed with a flexor strain Tuesday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gustave was close to a rehab assignment before he was shut down again and sent to team doctors to address his recurring arm soreness. Although the doctors found no structural damage, Gustave will be shut down for throwing for the next 10-to-14 days, delaying his return. He should receive a firmer timetable for return once he resumes a throwing program.

Gustave was sent back to Houston to see team doctors after dealing with recurring arm soreness at Triple-A Fresno, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gustave had been working his way towards a rehab assignment after dealing with forearm tightness in April. That's always a scary diagnosis for pitchers given how often it is the precursor to Tommy John surgery. Hopefully Houston's team doctors will come up with a better prognosis. Either way, Gustave's return will be delayed, as he will still need to go on a rehab assignment even if everything checks out fine.

Gustave (forearm) is scheduled to throw his second bullpen session Monday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

If Gustave experiences no renewed pain in his forearm, he could be cleared to head out on a rehab assignment later in the week. Prior to landing on the disabled list, Gustave turned in a 5.40 ERA and had walked seven batters in five innings, so a spot in the Astros bullpen may not be guaranteed upon his activation.

Gustave (forearm) has played catch a couple times and is feeling better, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports.

EDGE Analysis

He landed on the DL with forearm tightness last week, so it is encouraging that he has already started throwing. Gustave is without a timetable to return.

Gustave was placed on the 10-day DL on Thursday with right forearm tightness, retroactive to April 19.

EDGE Analysis

He had been awful this season to the tune of a 5.40 ERA and 2:7 K:BB in five innings, and his average fastball velocity was down 1.4 mph from last season. James Hoyt was recalled from Triple-A to take his spot in the bullpen.

Gustave allowed one walk in a scoreless inning in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Gustave typically appears in games that the Astros are losing as manager A.J. Hinch can't trust him in high-leverage spots. The right-hander has allowed seven walks and five hits over five innings this season. He was the last man standing for the final spot in the bullpen and should be the first one bumped if there's a move to be made.

Gustave made the Opening Day roster Thursday, Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gustave and James Hoyt had been locked into a battle for the final spot in the Astros' bullpen, but Gustave officially won the job Thursday and Hoyt was sent to Triple-A Fresno. The 24-year-old is another flamethrower that the Astros will have as an option in relief. He clocks in with a 97.1 mile per hour fastball that helped him fan 11 batters in 9.0 innings this spring. Gustave will likely slot in as a middle reliever with Will Harris and Luke Gregerson handling most of the setup work behind closer Ken Giles.

Gustave and James Hoyt will battle for the final spot in the bullpen over the final week of spring training, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Each reliever will pitch at least once over the final three Grapefruit League games as well as an inning in one of the two exhibition games against the Cubs on Thursday and Friday in Houston. A decision is not expected to come until late in the week. From a pure numbers perspective, Gustave has been the better pitcher this spring, but the eventual winner will be the reliever who pitches more effectively against left-handers. That skill favors Hoyt and his split-fingered fastball.

Gustave had a 3.52 ERA and 1.109 WHIP while striking out 16 and walking four in 15.1 innings over 14 games for the Astros in 2016.

EDGE Analysis

Gustave has been a quick mover through the organization, fueled mainly by a high-90s fastball. He'll need to develop a competent second pitch -- he's currently using a slider -- but he made it work during his short stint in Houston last season. He should be in the mix for a spot in the 2017 bullpen, but might also find himself up-and-down between Houston and Triple-A Fresno.