As the Houston Astros battle to stay in the playoff chase, its not clear whether two starters who helped them to the postseason last year will do the same this year.Left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who has been sidelined with shoulder inflammation, said Monday that he is not ready to resume throwing. Hes been out since Aug. 27 and said Friday that he would reassess his situation Sunday. That re-evaluation has been pushed back to Wednesday.Right-hander Lance McCullers, meanwhile, hasnt thrown off a mound as he tries to come back from a sprained elbow suffered Aug. 2.Its going to depend on where were at as a team and where theyre at, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Monday, according to the Houston Chronicle. Our idea is to continue positive progress with these guys and not set a timeline or a necessary deadline for them to have to meet. Otherwise well threaten further injury. One more setback for any of these guys, and its over.Keuchel, 28, won 20 games and the Cy Young last season for an Astros team that advanced to the division series, losing to the eventual World Series champion Royals. McCullers, 22, was counted on to be a big part of the Astros this season after an encouraging rookie campaign.Astros starters are struggling at the wrong time. Houston is 3? games out of the second wild card and 4-6 in its past 10 games. Hinch acknowledged that the team is walking a tightrope with the two pitchers.Theyre not doing enough to be ruled in or out, Hinch said, according to the newspaper. McCullers is the closest guy, but you can play catch all you want -- until you get on the mound, its when you really get serious about pitching. Keuchels not throwing yet, so theres certainly some concern on both of theirs for different reasons because of where we are on the schedule, but well go day-to-day. Cheap Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China .C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition. Discount NHL Jerseys . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. http://www.cheaphockeychina.com/ . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Wholesale Hockey Jerseys . McPhee said that Ovechkins father Mikhail is in stable condition after having the surgery this week and is no longer in intensive care. "Weve told him to stay as long as necessary with your dad," he said. Ovechkin and his Russian national team were eliminated from the mens hockey tournament in Sochi on Wednesday with a 3-1 quarter-final loss to Finland. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska senior receiver Jordan Westerkamp will miss the Music City Bowl against Tennessee because of a knee injury.Coach Mike Riley announced Thursday that the Cornhuskers leading receiver was hurt in a non-contact play Wednesday. Riley said Westerkamp would undergo surgery to repair his meniscus and that it would take about three months to heal.Westerkamp caught 38 passes for 526 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games. He missed two games because of a bacck injury.dddddddddddd Riley said Brandon Riley becomes the starter at slot receiver.Westerkamp will finish his Nebraska career having caught at least one pass in 36 consecutive games, one off the school record.The Cornhuskers already are without starting quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr., who is questionable for the bowl with a hamstring injury. ' ' '