Astros left-hander Mike Hampton returned to Houston on Monday after a routine physical turned up a minor irregularity in his heartbeat.

Hampton was to be examined by team physician Dr. Jim Muntz before undergoing a procedure to correct the heartbeat with an electrical current. The Astros hope to have him back in camp Thursday.

"From what I understand, it's not an uncommon condition and it's not an uncommon procedure he's going to go through," general manager Ed Wade said. "Other than travel time back and forth between here and Houston, we don't expect him to miss any time."
Just what the Astros need, Hampton to drop dead on the mound. Will Hampton ever be healthy again?