Houston Astro Manager Hal Lanier is considering...

Houston Astro Manager Hal Lanier is considering using Nolan Ryan as a long reliever, possibly as soon as Ryan’s next scheduled start Thursday in San Francisco, although the veteran pitcher said he will talk to pitching coach Les Moss to express his opposition.

Because Ryan, 40, is limited to 110 pitches in each start, he has been able to provide the Astros with only six or seven innings in each outing. He is fourth among National League pitchers with a 3.04 earned-run average, but hasn’t won since June 12.