Astros' Dallas Keuchel: Plans to make five spring starts

Keuchel (shoulder) isn't expected to make his Grapefruit League debut until early March, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis:

Keuchel suggested he's not behind the curve in his recovery from a bout of shoulder inflammation that sidelined him late last season, but it sounds like the Astros aren't inclined to overextend him early on in the spring. He already resumed throwing off a mound last week and came through the session without incident, and is still on track to make about five starts during spring training. The former Cy Young award winner saw his numbers decline considerably a season ago, but with some better luck on balls in play and a reduction in his home-run rate (closer to what he provided in 2014 and 2015), it's not unrealistic to expect him to turn in a sub-4.00 ERA in 2017.