ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -Astros left-hander Wandy Rodriguez pitched another simulated game Saturday and is now scheduled to make two rehabilitation starts in the minor leagues.

Rodriguez, out since April 20 with a strained left groin, threw 80 pitches Saturday. That was 20 more than he did in a similar session Monday.

``He looked pretty good today,'' manager Cecil Cooper said. ``There weren't many balls hit hard, so that's a good sign.''

Rodriguez is expected to throw a light bullpen session Monday, then will be set to make the first of two scheduled starts for Double-A Corpus Christi on Thursday.

If there are no setbacks, Rodriguez could return to the Astros rotation when they play a three-game series in Milwaukee May 30-June 1. Rodriguez was 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA in his first four starts before getting hurt.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.