HOUSTON, July 7 (UPI) -- The Houston Astros have activated righthander Roy Oswalt, who is expected to start Monday night against Cincinnati.
Oswalt last pitched in Houston's historic no-hitter on June 11 at Yankee Stadium. He went down with a strained groin in the second inning.
Since then, the Astros are 7-15 and have fallen into a tie with Chicago in the National League Central, two games behind St. Louis.
"As far as I know, everything is OK," said Manager Jimy Williams. "He hasn't had any physical setbacks and is ready to pitch."
Oswalt, 25, is 6-0 with a 1.57 ERA in nine career games, including seven starts, against Cincinnati.
He is 4-4 with a 3.05 ERA this season, and went 19-9 last season. He has a career record of 37-16 with a 2.93 ERA.
The Astros optioned reliever Brandon Puffer to Triple-A New Orleans of the Pacific Coast League to take Oswalt's roster spot.
Puffer had a 5.14 ERA in 12 appearances, allowing 13 runs, 12 earned, in 21 innings.
