Brandon Backe (elbow) allowed seven earned runs and four walks in 4 1/3 innings during a rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.
Backe will make at least two more rehab starts before rejoining the Astros in September.
Chris Sampson (knee) threw another bullpen session on Friday.
Sampson will throw at least one more bullpen session before heading out on a minor league rehab assignment.
Hunter Pence (wrist) took batting practice Thursday and Friday and will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.
Pence is expected to play three games for Round Rock before being activated from the disabled list.
An MRI performed Friday on LHP Stephen Randolph's right knee revealed a strain of the posterior cruciate ligament.
Randolph will need two or three weeks to recover from the injury.
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