Carl Bolton: Everything you need to know

Bolton will serve as the Astros' starter for Sunday's series finale against the Red Sox, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Bolton will operate in an opener role for Sunday's contest, with Kai-Wei Teng likely serving in a bulk-relief role after the former tosses one or two innings. Bolton was activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday and pitched later that night against the Orioles, when he allowed one run on one hit and one walk in one inning's work. He has a 5.79 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 11:8 K:BB across 9.1 innings this season.

The Astros activated Bolton (back) from the 15-day injured list Thursday. Bolton had been on the shelf since mid-April with mid-back inflammation, but he was cleared to join the big club ahead of Thursday's doubleheader with the Orioles after making a two-inning rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land over the weekend. Though he had made starts in his last two appearances with Houston prior to landing on the IL, Bolton will likely slot into the bullpen for the time being and operate as a multi-inning option.

The Astros could activate Bolton (back) from the 15-day injured list to serve as their 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader versus the Orioles, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Bolton had made three appearances (two starts) and pitched to a 5.40 ERA and 1.68 WHIP over 8.1 innings before landing on the shelf April 15 due to mid-back inflammation. The right-hander appears to be tracking toward a brief stay on the IL, as he was able to make a two-inning rehab appearance for Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday. While Houston still has six other starting pitchers on its IL, Bolton may be ticketed for the bullpen once activated with the Astros having received strong results from Spencer Arrighetti and Peter Lambert since those two pitchers entered the rotation.