Astros' Cristian Javier: Early hook in no-decision
Rotowire
Javier did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 9-8 win over the Orioles, allowing five runs (three earned) on three hits and four walks with three strikeouts over two innings.
Javier generated 11 whiffs but threw just 39 of 65 pitches for strikes, laboring through only two frames. After a strong five-inning debut Aug. 11, the 28-year-old has managed just five combined frames in his past two outings. He'll carry a 5.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB across 10 innings into a home matchup with the Angels next weekend.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Expected to be fine for next start
Rotowire
Javier (illness) is expected to be fine for his next scheduled start this weekend in Baltimore, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Javier had to depart Sunday's start versus the Orioles after three innings due to illness and then stayed behind in Houston rather than travel with the team to Detroit. However, Javier now appears recovered from the illness and is slated to rejoin the club at some point Monday. It's not yet clear which day Javier will start, but that should be revealed after he meets with manager Joe Espada.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Status uncertain for next start
Rotowire
Manager Joe Espada said Monday that the Astros haven't determined whether Javier (illness) will be ready to make his next start, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
While making his second start since returning from the 60-day injured list Sunday, Javier lasted just three innings before being pulled from the Astros' eventual 12-0 loss to the Orioles due to an illness. Javier stayed behind in Houston to visit a doctor, but Espada relayed that the right-hander will rejoin the team in Detroit later Monday, which suggests his illness isn't too serious. Javier tentatively lines up to make his next start during this weekend's four-game series in Baltimore, but Espada said that he wants to check in with the 28-year-old in person before determining whether he'll be able to take the hill for his next turn through the rotation. Lance McCullers (finger) is with the Astros in Detroit and could be activated from the 15-day IL and inserted into the rotation at some point this week if the team wants to build in more recovery time for Javier.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Departs with illness
Rotowire
Javier was removed from his start in Sunday's game against the Orioles after three innings due to an illness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Javier recorded two strikeouts and allowed one run on three hits and no walks in the 50-pitch start before the Astros elected to pull him from the game early. The right-hander was making his second start of the season for the Astros after completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Javier should be ready to pitch when his next turn through the rotation comes up next weekend in Baltimore.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Earns win in season debut
Rotowire
Javier (1-0) earned the win Monday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings against the Red Sox. He struck out five.
Javier got off to a shaky start Monday, giving up a two-run homer to Alex Bregman in the first inning, but settled in to deliver five strong frames and pick up the win in his 2025 debut. The right-hander made his first big-league appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery last season, when he posted a 3.89 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 34.2 innings in seven starts.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Set for 2025 debut Monday
Rotowire
Javier (elbow) will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Monday's contest against the Red Sox in Houston, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Javier will make his first major-league start since May 21, 2024, after he spent the last 14-plus months rehabbing and recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The right-hander wrapped up his five-start minor-league rehab assignment this past Tuesday, when he struck out six batters and allowed one earned run on two hits and four walks across 3.2 innings. Overall, Javier was lacking in control during his rehab assignment, posting a 15:15 K:BB in 14 innings across stops with three affiliates. Since the 28-year-old reached 77 pitches in his latest rehab outing, he'll likely be operating with a minor workload restriction Monday.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: On track for season debut next week
Rotowire
Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Javier (elbow) is in position to make his season debut with the major-league club during its homestand next week, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Javier made his fifth and likely final rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Sugar Land, allowing one run one two hits and four walks while striking out six over 3.2 innings. The right-hander holds a 5.14 ERA and 15:15 K:BB over 14 frames during his rehab assignment and reached 77 pitches Tuesday. Javier could rejoin the Astros' rotation as soon as Monday against the Red Sox. While he makes for a viable stash in fantasy leagues, it might be wise to leave him on your bench initially.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Logs live BP session
Rotowire
Javier (elbow) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Javier had been limited to bullpen sessions until Thursday, but his ability to face hitters is a milestone in his recovery. All reportedly went well, with manager Joe Espada reporting Javier hit 95 mph with his fastball as he continues to ramp up coming off Tommy John surgery.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Still throwing bullpens
Rotowire
Javier (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Monday, MLB.com reports.
Javier continues to ramp up his work, throwing a pair of bullpen sessions since June 11. He is expected to return at some point in the middle of the season, but he has yet to progress to facing live hitters.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Not ready to face hitters
Rotowire
Javier (elbow) is throwing bullpen sessions but is not ready to face hitters, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Javier began throwing off a mound nearly a month ago as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery, but he has yet to be cleared for live batting practice. The right-hander will not be an option for the Astros until after the All-Star break.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Begins mound work
Rotowire
Javier (elbow) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Friday marks the first time Javier has worked off a mound since undergoing Tommy John surgery last June. He still has a long road ahead of him before being cleared to rejoin the Astros' rotation, but his progress is encouraging and keeps him on track to return shortly after the All-Star break.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: IL move made official
Rotowire
The Astros placed Javier (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Javier is not expected to be ready to make his 2025 debut until the second half of the season while he recovers from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent June 6 of last yaer. He's a candidate to eventually shift to the 60-day IL if/when the Astros need to free a 40-man roster spot.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Targeting return after ASB
Rotowire
Javier (elbow) said during an Astros FanFest event Saturday that he's targeting to return from the injured list after the All-Star break, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
It's not exactly new information as GM Dana Brown provided a similar timeline, but it's notable that he remains on track nearly four months later. Javier underwent Tommy John surgery last June, so it would be a relatively quick recovery if he's able to return in July.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Moved to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Astros transferred Javier (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The move was merely a procedural one to free up a 40-man spot. Javier underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this month and will miss extended time, including perhaps all of the 2025 season. Right-handed reliever Luis Contreras was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land and will take Javier's spot on the 40-man roster.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Tommy John surgery scheduled
Rotowire
Javier (forearm) is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The right-hander landed on the injured list in late May due to right forearm discomfort and is now set to miss the rest of the 2024 campaign. Javier will also be sidelined until at least the second half of 2025 as he rehabs from the surgery. It's been a rough week for Houston pitchers, as Jose Urquidy (elbow) is also in danger of needing the procedure.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Dealing with forearm discomfort
Rotowire
Javier is dealing with forearm discomfort and didn't throw his scheduled bullpen session Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Manager Joe Espada said Javier is day-to-day, but the right-hander would appear to be at significant risk of missing his next turn through the rotation Tuesday in Seattle. Chandler Rome of The Athletic speculates Hunter Brown could start Tuesday on four days' rest, with Eric Lauer a possibility to be called up from Triple-A Sugar Land to fill Javier's turn in the rotation Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Shaky results in no-decision
Rotowire
Javier did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's win over the Angels, allowing four runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over four innings.
Javier's night got started off on the wrong foot after surrendering a two-run blast to Luis Rengifo in the opening frame. The Angels then got to him for two more runs in the fourth on a trio of hits, which included an RBI-double from Zach Neto. It was a very discouraging performance after Javier put together his best start of the season his previous outing against the A's. After the game, he cited his struggles due to poor mechanics, though he's now given up 11 runs on 13 hits and seven walks while striking out just one batter in 5.1 innings in his two starts surrounding his gem against Oakland. The 27-year-old now owns a 3.89 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 27:19 K:BB in 34.2 innings and lines up to face Seattle next week.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Activated from IL
Rotowire
The Astros reinstated Javier (neck) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Javier landed on the IL on April 21 due to neck discomfort. He made one rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on May 4, throwing 68 pitches while allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. To make room on the 40-man roster for Javier, Houston designated right-hander Brandon Bielak for assignment. Javier will start Saturday against the Tigers, though the Astros could limit his workload to ease the right-hander back into the rotation.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Set to return Saturday
Rotowire
Javier (neck) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday in Detroit, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Javier will have gone nearly a month in between starts for the Astros when he toes the rubber Saturday, having been sidelined with a neck problem. He's ready to roll now, following one rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi in which he allowed three runs over 3.1 frames. Javier threw just 68 pitches in the outing, so he could be somewhat limited from a workload perspective against the Tigers.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cristian Javier: Throws 68 pitches in rehab outing
Rotowire
Javier (neck) allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three across 3.1 innings in a rehab outing with Double-A Corpus Christi on Saturday, MLB.com reports.
The results weren't overly impressive, but it was otherwise a successful outing for Javier, as he was slated to throw roughly 65 pitches in the outing and met that goal (68 pitches). Assuming no news of a setback emerges, he could rejoin the Astros' rotation at some point in the upcoming week.
