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CINCINNATI -- Astros pitcher Bud Norris likely won't make his 32nd and final start of the season after having to leave Tuesday's loss to the Reds with discomfort in his right shoulder that was the result of biceps tendinitis. He was scheduled to pitch Sunday at home against Colorado. The team won't make a determination whether Norris can make the start until he's examined by team doctors on Thurs fox sports day in Houston, but manager Brad Mills admitted that the chances of Norris pitching are slim. Lucas Harrell would likely take Norris' spot in the rotation. "It would make sense [not to pitch]," Norris said. "I'm pretty sure they're going to shut me down and give somebody else a start. I'm kind of bummed that I couldn't make all 32 starts, but that's part of it. I've just got to get healthy and get fox sports ready again for next year." Norris, 26, went 6-11 with a 3.77 ERA in a career-high 186 innings pitched, giving up 177 hits and striking out 176 batters. In his final 13 starts of the season, Norris went 1-5 with a 4.26 ERA with six quality starts (at least six innings pitched and three earned runs or less). "I learned a lot, and that's the biggest key," Norris said. "You don't always look at the fox sports numbers. You look at progress and strides you made from the year before. I think I made some strides in the right direction. Once again, I know there's always things you need to work on to get better." Norris said he'd like to pitch deeper into games, as well as improve his ability to keep baserunners in check. Mills hopes pitching coach Brocail will return CINCINNATI -- Astros manager Brad M fox sports ills hopes that pitching coach Doug Brocail decides to return next season. Brocail, who took over in June when Brad Arnsberg was let go, has been extended an offer to return, but he said he wants to talk it over with his family before making a decision. "I think he's done an outstanding job," Mills said. "He does a good job of getting a rapport with the pitchers. He's really brought a lot of young fox sports guys along real well. They work great with him, and his communication with them is good. It's a commitment, there's no doubt." Brocail said on Tuesday that he would try to give the Astros an answer by the end of the season. He wants to discuss it with his wife and daughters. Before taking over for Arnsberg, Brocail served as a special assistant to general manager Ed Wade in the Astros' front offi fox sports ce after retiring following the 2009 season. Considering how many young pitchers the Astros had this year and will retain heading into next season, Mills said that having continuity in the coaching staff is key. "I think it's very important, especially with the success [Brocail] has had with the staff," Mills said. Worth noting Beau Mills, the son of Astros manager Brad Mills, went 2-for-4 fox sports with a home run in Columbus' 8-3 win over Omaha in the Triple-A National Championship Game on Tuesday night in Albuquerque, N.M. Mills, 25, hit a combined .289 with 18 homers and 67 RBIs in the Minor Leagues this year. "I didn't call him because I didn't want him to feel pressure to take the call while celebrating," Brad Mills said. fox sports
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