(Photo credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images)

The Houston Astros are using a six-man rotation after three starters came off the injured list this month, and another rehabbing right-hander is nearing his return, too.

As a result of the club's numerous starting options, the pressure increases on the likes of right-hander Jason Alexander, who will get the ball on Thursday in the decisive game of a three-game interleague series against the visiting Colorado Rockies.

Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr., freshly back from injuries, are part of the six-man starting staff. And soon the Astros will face a decision regarding the status of rehabbing right-hander Luis Garcia, who worked six innings of one-run ball for their Triple-A affiliate on Tuesday.

Garcia last pitched for the Astros on May 1, 2023, before undergoing Tommy John surgery. A series of setbacks prevented his return late last season, and the Astros have been cautious in their utilization of Garcia, who has made nine rehab appearances across four levels of the minors this season.

'He threw the ball really well,' Astros manager Joe Espada said of Garcia's work for Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday. 'Especially the breaking ball was really good, sharp, and what we were looking for. The velo was also pretty good; he executed his fastball very well.

'We're very happy with that performance. It was really, really good.'

Alexander (4-1, 4.59 ERA) has been good lately, too. He is 3-0 with a 1.54 ERA in four August starts, including back-to-back scoreless six-inning outings against the Miami Marlins and New York Yankees to open the month.

The 32-year-old California native had his streak of three consecutive quality starts snapped against the Baltimore Orioles on Aug. 21 after he allowed two runs on eight hits and one walk with three strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings.

Alexander will make his first career appearance against the Rockies. He is 1-0 with a 6.67 ERA in nine career interleague appearances (four starts).

Left-hander Kyle Freeland (3-13, 5.31) has the starting assignment for the Rockies on Thursday. He is 1-3 with a 5.70 ERA over his past six starts.

In a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, Freeland allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks with six strikeouts over five innings. It was the seventh start this season in which Freeland has surrendered at least five earned runs.

Freeland is 0-2 with a 4.42 ERA in three career starts against the Astros. He allowed three runs on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts over six innings but did not factor into the decision of Colorado's 7-6 win over Houston on July 3 in Denver.

After limiting the Astros' offense during a 6-1 win in the series opener, the Rockies trailed 1-0 entering the bottom of the seventh inning on Wednesday before ultimately falling 4-0.

Colorado fashioned another competitive performance against a club with championship aspirations, a positive development for a team that was on a historic losing pace before generating momentum during the second half.

'I think that plays,' Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer said of the collective effort. 'I think that plays next year and years to come. Just playing a complete, nine-inning game.

'Just everybody contributing one way or another. Just quality at-bat after quality at-bat and not giving in. It's a mentality.'

--Field Level Media