31.   He signed a minor league deal with the Astros, made the club out of spring training, and joined the rotation as the fifth starter in May.

32.   He will compete with Bruce Chen to become the fifth starter.

33.   Hideki Irabu began the season as the fifth starter, but the Rangers are using their days off Thursday and Monday to go with a four-man rotation.

34.   Hutton probably did not end the search for a fifth starter, but he gave the Yankees more flexibility.

35.   If Avery has fully recovered from an assortment of arm injuries, he could be the fifth starter that the team has been searching for.

36.   In fact, the Mariner manager seemed to downplay the need for a fifth starter, then he changed the subject.

37.   Irabu likely will remain the fifth starter when the spot comes around again.

38.   It appears the Los Angeles Dodgers have decided on left-hander Odalis Perez as their fifth starter.

39.   Johnson said either Judd or Gagne could be a fifth starter for the club next season.