Luhnow: Keuchel will not return in regular season

The Houston Astros will need to make their final postseason push without Dallas Keuchel.

The left-hander has been sidelined since Aug. 27 with shoulder inflammation, and general manager Jeff Luhnow said Monday that Houston would have to make the playoffs for Keuchel to possibly return.

"At this point, neither (Lance McCullers nor Keuchel) could build up quickly enough to start in the regular season," Luhnow told reporters.

"Whether or not either could be available to start in the postseason remains to be seen, (depending on) how deep we go and what kind of progress they're making."

An MRI on Keuchel's shoulder earlier this month revealed no structural damage, but the reigning AL Cy Young winner has yet to resume throwing.

The Astros entered play Monday sitting 9 1/2 games back of the Texas Rangers in the AL West, and three games back of the second wild-card spot.

Keuchel is 9-12 with a 4.55 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 26 starts. Despite his early-season struggles, the 28-year-old went 3-1 with a 3.10 ERA in August before hitting the DL.