According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, the Phillies have halted their pursuit of Astros' right-hander Wilton Lopez.

The trade that was supposed to send reliever Wilton Lopez to the Phillies "appears to have hit a snag."

That's the word from MLB.com Astros beat writer Brian McTaggart. Lopez was in Philadelphia on Wednesday for a physical, which might not have gone smoothly. The righty did experience elbow problems in 2012. Houston was supposed to get a pair of youngsters in return.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Phillies won't officially acquire right-hander Wilton Lopez from the Astros until he passes a physical.

That's not exactly a formality in Lopez's case, as he experienced an elbow issue this past season. However, assuming he passes, the Phillies are expected to send a couple near major-league ready prospects to the Astros.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Phillies have reached an agreement with the Astros to acquire reliever Wilton Lopez.

There are still some details to be worked out, but it's pretty close to a done deal. It's not clear who the Astros will get in return, but Heyman hears that they will receive some near major league-ready prospects. Lopez is an excellent pickup for the Phillies, who figure to use him as a bridge to closer Jonathan Papelbon. The 29-year-old right-hander had a 2.17 ERA and 54/8 K/BB ratio over 66 1/3 innings this season and has a career ground ball rate of 55.9 percent.

According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, the Phillies are in "serious talks" with the Astros about right-hander Wilton Lopez.

One of the more underrated relievers in the game, Lopez has a 2.64 ERA over the past three seasons. If acquired, he would help set up for closer Jonathan Papelbon. The 29-year-old right-hander is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Tuesday that he's "extremely comfortable" with Wilton Lopez possibly being the team's closer next season.

"If we have an opportunity to improve our bullpen we're going to take it, but I feel extremely comfortable with Lopez finishing games," Luhnow said. "He's a strike-thrower. I love that." Lopez converted seven of nine save chances after taking over as closer and boasts a nice 2.20 ERA and 1.04 WHIP this season. He's probably better suited to be a setup man, but, at least among the Astros' current options, he's the best fit in the ninth.

Wilton Lopez took his first blown save since taking over the closer's role, allowing one run on three hits over two innings against the Brewers on Saturday.

Lopez took over with a 5-4 lead in the ninth inning but allowed hits to the first two batters before Jean Segura plated the tying run with an RBI groundout. Lopez rebounded nicely to finish the inning then shut the Brewers down in the 10th. He's still the Astros strongest option in the ninth inning.

Wilton Lopez returned to action on Saturday August 4.

Wilton Lopez converted his first save chance of the season on Saturday, needing just seven pitches to record the final two outs of the game.

Francisco Cordero was handed the reigns to the closer's job when Brett Myers got traded, but was horribly ineffective and has now landed on the DL. That means it's now Lopez's job to lose, and this first successful attempt is a great start. He needs to be owned in all leagues at this point.

Wilton Lopez (elbow) is expected to be available for Wednesday's game.

Lopez was unavailable Tuesday after feeling some tightness in his elbow during batting practice. He missed nearly a month earlier this season with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, so there is some reason for concern. Astros manager Brad Mills wants to give Lopez a chance at the closer gig, but his workload will have to be monitored.

Wilton Lopez is unavailable to pitch Tuesday after feeling some tightness in his right elbow while throwing batting practice.

Lopez's run as the Astros' closer has been halted before it even began. The team don't consider the tightness to be a big deal, but the fact that he's pitching with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament and is now experiencing discomfort should give fantasy owners pause. It's not clear who might handle a potential save chance Tuesday.

Astros manager Brad Mills confirmed Tuesday that Wilton Lopez is his new primary ninth-inning man.

Houston tried out Francisco Cordero in the role but that went extremely poorly. Lopez should do much better, though it's unlikely the Astros will hold many late-game leads down the stretch. That big-league roster has been torn to shreds by GM Jeff Luhnow's rebuilding project.

Astros activated RHP Wilton Lopez from the 15-day disabled list.

Lopez has a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, but he and the Astros believe he can pitch through it. Lopez, 28, has a solid 2.51 ERA and 26/4 K/BB ratio over 32 1/3 innings this year. He'll return to a late-inning setup role.

Astros manager Brad Mills said Wilton Lopez (elbow) "felt good and threw the ball very well" during his bullpen session Wednesday.

It was his first session off a mound since being diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament. Lopez will throw another bullpen session over the weekend before beginning a rehab assignment. It sounds like he could be back before the All-Star break if all goes well.

Wilton Lopez (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday for the first time since being placed on the disabled list earlier this month.

Lopez was recently diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, but the Astros are optimistic he'll be able to rehab the injury. However, his absence is likely to stretch into the second half.

Astros placed RHP Wilton Lopez on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 11, with a strained right elbow.

No word yet on the severity of the injury or a timetable for his return. Lopez, 28, has a solid 2.51 ERA and 26/4 K/BB ratio over 32 1/3 innings this year. Fernando Abad was activated from the disabled list and will replace him on the active roster.

The Astros are shutting down right-hander Wilton Lopez for a couple days due to forearm tightness.

Astros manager Brad Mills said the issue isn't considered serious. Lopez, 28, had a 2.79 ERA and 56/18 K/BB ratio over 71 innings last season and is projected to pitch in a set-up role again in 2012.

Astros activated RHP Wilton Lopez from the 15-day disabled list.

Lopez was sidelined for a little over two weeks with inflammation in the ulnar nerve of his right elbow. Now healthy, he will return to his familiar setup role.

Wilton Lopez (elbow) had successful simulated game Saturday and is expected to be activated from the disabled list in a day or two.

Lopez has been out since April 14 with inflammation in the ulnar nerve of his elbow. He'll resume his setup duties in front of closer Brandon Lyon.

Wilton Lopez (elbow) is throwing off flat ground without any pain.

Lopez went on the disabled list earlier this month with ulnar nerve irritation in his right elbow. It's not yet clear when he'll go out on a minor league rehab assignment.