Lucas Harrell struggled again on Tuesday, allowing four runs in five innings in a loss to the Royals.

Harrell allowed five hits, including an Omar Infante home run, and walked three in the contest. He also struck out four. The subpar outing moved him to 0-3 with a 9.49 ERA and 2.27 WHIP, and it gets increasingly harder to see how Astros manager Bo Porter will continue running him out there every fifth day for much longer. For now, he'll next take the hill Sunday at the Athletics.

Lucas Harrell gave up five runs -- four earned -- in 4 1/3 innings to take a loss Wednesday against the Angels.

Harrell was terrible last year, was terrible this spring and has been terrible in two starts since being gifted with a spot in Houston's rotation. We imagine this will be it for him as a starter for now. He's 0-2 with an 11.05 ERA and a 2.73 WHIP to date.

Lucas Harrell has been announced as one of the Astros' five starters.

Harrell represents the best of a bad group of options for the Astros -- and it's arguable that he's among the best, even -- so his spot in the rotation is more of an indictment on his peers than praise for him as a starter. The right-hander owned a 7.80 ERA over 15 innings this spring.

Lucas Harrell bounced back from last week's 10-run shelling to hold the Phillies to one run in 4 1/3 innings on Thursday.

Facing a split-squad that included three likely regulars, Harrell allowed six hits, walked two and struck out none. He remains in the mix for a spot in Houston's rotation, but he's the weakest of the four candidates for two openings.

Lucas Harrell was lit up for 10 runs -- nine earned -- and 12 hits in 1 2/3 innings by the Tigers on Saturday.

The Astros had been saying the right things about Harrell this spring, but if they had more confidence in him, then they wouldn't have signed Jerome Williams last month. Harrell is out of options, so he probably will have a spot on the staff. It shouldn't be assured, though.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Lucas Harrell is drawing trade interest.

The Astros would have been better off dealing Harrell last offseason, as he's coming off a disappointing 5.86 ERA and 89/88 K/BB ratio over 153 2/3 innings in 2013. Still, someone will be willing to take a chance on a rebound. The 28-year-old won't be arbitration-eligible until next winter.

Lucas Harrell was hammered in a spot start against the Athletics on Sunday, allowing seven runs on seven hits over his three innings.

Harrell walked two and struck out two in the abbreviated outing. He cruised through the first two innings virtually unscathed, but the A's erupted for seven runs in the third, highlighted by a three-run homer off the bat of Seth Smith. He's likely to take his 6.01 ERA and 1.74 WHIP back to the bullpen after this debacle.

Lucas Harrell was pummeled for nine runs -- seven earned -- in 2 1/3 innings by the Rangers on Monday.

We'll be curious to learn whether it was Harrell's or Bo Porter's choice to intentionally walk Adrian Beltre in both the first and third innings tonight. Harrell was knocked around after the second free pass and was lifted midway through the Rangers' 11-run inning. He's no lock to stay in the rotation after this.

Lucas Harrell allowed four runs in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to the Orioles on Tuesday.

Harrell made the start after the Astros decided to hold Bud Norris back a day. He gave up just two hits but walked five, and one of the hits -- a two-run homer by Chris Davis -- ended up being his downfall. Harrell moved to 5-11 with a 5.24 ERA with the loss. He may stay in the rotation if Norris is moved at the trade deadline, but he's pitching so poorly he should be avoided for fantasy purposes no matter his role.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Tuesday that Lucas Harrell was removed from the team's rotation, in part, to "get his mind cleared."

Harrell has been up-and-down for the Astros this season, holding a 5.04 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. Luhnow is expecting the right-hander to figure things out, though, and anticipates him being an integral part of their rotation in the second half.

Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle reports that "all early indications" are that Lucas Harrell has been removed from the Astros' rotation.

The club and Harrell have both yet to comment on it, but the right-hander was listed as being available out of the bullpen on Sunday. Harrell pitched well for Houston last season but has been a disaster this year, posting a 5.04 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. It's not clear who will take his rotation spot.

Lucas Harrell was obliterated in Friday's loss to the Rangers, allowing seven runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Harrell struggled mightily with his command all evening, issuing six walks to go along with his three strikeouts. He needed103 pitches to record 11 outs. With the loss, he falls to 5-8 on the season. He'll take a 5.04 ERA and horrifying 1.61 WHIP into his next outing against the Rays in Tampa Bay on Friday.

Lucas Harrell is dealing with a bone bruise after he was hit in the left shin by a comebacker during his start Sunday against the Angels.

"It was just pretty tender when I woke up," said Harrell. "Not getting much treatment really, but I had the trainers look at it. Right now, we're just taping it up." While Harrell is feeling a little banged up, he's still expected to make his next start, which will likely be Friday against the Rangers.

Lucas Harrell held the Angels to one run in seven innings Sunday but was left with a no-decision.

Houston's offense provided exactly one run of support for Harrell in the eventual 3-1 loss. Harrell struck out seven batters and gave up only two extra-base hits while watching his ERA fall from 4.84 to 4.59. The right-hander will take on the Rangers in Arlington, Texas next time out. That is not an attractive fantasy matchup.

Lucas Harrell was hammered for seven runs over 3 1/3 innings Tuesday as the Astros fell to the Cardinals.

Harrell started the evening with three scoreless frames, but it all fell apart for him in the Cardinals' seven-run fourth. The right-hander now has a 5-7 record, 4.84 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. He is not fantasy-relevant.

Lucas Harrell gave up four runs -- one earned -- over 5 1/3 frames in Thursday's 7-4 extra-innings win over the Brewers.

Harrell permitted five hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out three. He was let down by his defense in the second inning, when errors from Jose Altuve and Justin Maxwell led to three runs. Harrell is still getting plenty of ground balls this season, but his strikeout rate is down and his walk rate up, leading to a disappointing 4.32 ERA and 1.53 WHIP. He'll get the Cardinals at home next week.

Lucas Harrell allowed two runs -- one earned -- over seven innings but took the loss as the Astros fell to the Orioles on Tuesday.

Harrell deserved better, as he allowed just five hits and no walks while striking out six in the outing. Alas, the Astros couldn't muster more than one run, dropping Harrell's record to 4-7 on the year. He'll hope for a better fate against the Royals on Sunday.

Lucas Harrell allowed just one run over seven innings but the Astros lost to the Pirates on Sunday.

Harrell got exactly zero support from his offense and was handed his fifth loss despite pitching very well. He allowed just four hits -- one double and three singles -- while striking out three batters and walking only one. The right-hander will try to keep it rolling next week against the A's.

Lucas Harrell will move up in the rotation to start Sunday against the Pirates.

Bud Norris was originally scheduled to start Sunday, but he'll get some extra rest after he left a start earlier this week due to back spasms. Harrell has an ugly 5.11 ERA and 29/29 K/BB ratio in 49 1/3 innings through nine starts this season.

Lucas Harrell allowed five runs in five-plus innings as the Astros lost to the Tigers on Tuesday.

Harrell held the Tigers scoreless through the first four innings but allowed three in the fifth and two more in the sixth before he was removed. He was playing with fire all night, though, relying on two double plays and registering just one strikeout on the evening. Like all the other Astros pitchers, he should continue to be ignored in all formats. His next start will come Monday against the Royals.