Astros RHP Brian Moehler has elected to have surgery on his lower abdominal muscle on September first.

Now he's out for the year. He wasn't much of a fantasy option as a sixth starter and long reliever type, but now it's official anyway.

Brian Moehler left a minor league rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday due to discomfort in his groin.

Not good. Moehler opted to rehab the injury rather than undergo season-ending surgery, but plans may change after tonight's setback. Stay tuned.

Brian Moehler (groin) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday with Triple-A Round Rock.

Moehler will make a start at Round Rock Tuesday then a start at Double-A Corpus Christi on Sunday. If all goes well, he could be activated and placed into the Houston starting rotation by the middle of next week. Moehler has been out for a month with a strained groin.

Brian Moehler (groin) could go out on a minor league rehab assignment next week.

Moehler is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Saturday. "If that goes well, we'll send him on a rehab," said Astros manager Brad Mills. Moehler aggravated his groin injury during a simulated game earlier this month, but decided to continue his rehab instead of opting for season-ending surgery.

Brian Moehler (groin) threw a three-inning simulated game Thursday.

Moehler reported no abnormal pain or discomfort in his groin. He will throw a side session this weekend, then it's off to a rehab assignment. Look for the reliever to return just before the start of September.

Brian Moehler (groin) felt good after a 40-pitch throwing session Saturday.

It's the first time the right-hander has thrown his aggravating his groin injury during a simulated game on August 3. Moehler is still holding out hope of pitching again this season and GM Ed Wade said a rehab assignment is a possibility.

Brian Moehler (groin) hopes to pitch again this season.

"It would be nice," Moehler said. "I still have a long way to go. I have to get on the mound. That's where it's been bothering me is on the mound." Moehler tore a tendon off the bone in his groin area, however surgery is avoidable right now. A visit with Dr. Bill Meyers on Tuesday revealed some fraying of abdominal muscles, which will likely require minor surgery in the offseason, however Moehler is going to try to give it a go.

Brian Moehler has been diagnosed with a tear in his groin.

Moehler suffered the injury while throwing a simulated game Wednesday in St. Louis and is probably going to be shut down for the rest of the 2010 season. Whether he will undergo surgery remains to be seen.

The rest of Brian Moehler's 2010 season is in doubt after he aggravated a groin injury Wednesday during a simulated game.

Moehler felt a popping sensation in his right groin on the 37th of what was supposed to be a 45-pitch session. He threw once more before shutting it down. "It's just frustrating because I had felt really good the last week and felt good throwing bullpens and had been feeling really good today up until that pitch," he said. The righty will get an MRI Thursday to determine the extent of the damage.

Brian Moehler (groin) was unhappy with his command and experienced tightness in his groin during a simulated game Friday.

The Astros will make a decision today on what next to do with the right-hander. He has been on the disabled list since July 16, though the move was backdated to July 8, so he's eligible to be activated at any time. That's clearly not going to happen soon, though.

Brian Moehler (groin) is scheduled to throw off a mound Monday.

The right-handed Moehler has been sidelined since July 8 with a groin strain and Monday's throwing session will represent a significant step in his ongoing recovery. If it goes well, he should progress to a simulate game later this week and then a minor league rehab assignment by the weekend.

Astros placed RHP Brian Moehler on the 15-day disabled list with a groin injury.

The move is retroactive to July 8, the day after the right-hander suffered the injury. Moehler was hoping that the All-Star break would give his groin sufficient time to heal, but that obviously didn't happen.

Brian Moehler is scheduled to see a doctor on Thursday in regards to his strained right groin.

Moehler tossed three shutout innings before being lifted from Wednesday's game against the Pirates. The veteran right-hander isn't overly concerned about the injury and thinks the All-Star break will give him the proper time to heal.

Brian Moehler was lifted from Wednesday's game with a strained right groin.

Moehler threw three scoreless innings against the Pirates before being replaced in the fourth inning by reliever Gustavo Chacin. The veteran Moehler will be reevaluated Thursday and may need a stint on the DL.

With Bud Norris set to return from the disabled list, Brian Moehler will find out Sunday if he will keep his spot in the starting rotation.

It was nothing special, but Moehler stated his case to stay by allowing three runs over five innings in a 7-4 win over the Rangers on Friday. "You know, the way he pitched he sure deserves another start," said Astros manager Brad Mills. "We're going to wait until (today) to make that decision." Keep in mind that Felipe Paulino is on the disabled list right now, so the decision will likely come down to Moehler or Josh Banks. Neither are worthy of your attention in fantasy leagues.

Brian Moehler allowed three runs -- two earned -- over five innings in a win over the Rangers on Friday night.

It was his first win since last August 22 against Arizona. Moehler scattered eight hits while striking out three and walking three. He has a 5.63 ERA and 23/23 K/BB ratio over six starts and 12 relief appearances this season, so he's not a recommended fantasy option. Still, with Felipe Paulino now on the disabled list, the Astros will continue to throw him out there.