Astros right-hander Cristian Javier was removed from today’s game after just one inning due to shoulder tightness. As relayed by Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Javier was warming up for the second inning but summoned catcher Christian Vázquez and the training staff to the mound before departing.
At this point, it’s too early to know any details about Javier’s injury or its severity. However, even a minor absence would be a big blow for the Astros. Just a few days ago, they lost their ace, as Hunter Brown landed on the injured list due to a shoulder strain.
Even with Brown’s injury, the Astros still planned to go for a six-man rotation in the near future. On Friday, they start a stretch of playing 13 games in a row. Going to a six-man rotation would lower the impact on Tatsuya Imai, who is still in the first few weeks of his MLB career. In Japan, starting pitchers normally throw once a week as opposed to the five-man rotations that are common in North America.
Imai, Javier, Burrows and Lance McCullers Jr. would have accounted for four spots. The other two would have been more up in the air. Cody Bolton was just recalled to make a spot start and could be in the mix. Spencer Arrighetti is on optional assignment but could be recalled. Ryan Weiss, AJ Blubaugh, and Kai-Wei Teng have some starting experience but have been pitching in the big league bullpen. Blubaugh came in to replace Javier today but allowed five runs in the second and was replaced in the third. He threw 39 pitches in his one inning of work.
Subtracting Javier would further require the Astros to reach even further into their depth, assuming they still want to go six deep in the rotation. Weiss threw 62 pitches in a long relief outing Monday, so he’s fairly stretched out, though he allowed six earned runs in 2 2/3 innings. Houston also has Jason Alexander, Colton Gordon and Miguel Ullola on optional assignment.
Houston’s outfield also seemingly took a blow today. Jake Meyers tried to check his swing during a plate appearance and grabbed at his oblique area. He left the game and the Astros announced his injury as lower back tightness. Meyers has taken the majority of playing time in center field this year. He is a strong defender and has a solid .243/.326/.378 line so far on the season.
If Meyers needs to miss some time, then the Astros will have to figure out a solution in center. Brice Matthews entered the game for Meyers today. He is one of the club’s best prospects but he entered today with just 22 games of big league experience and a .148/.212/.410 line in those. Right fielder Cam Smith has gotten some work in center but not in official game action. Left fielder Joey Loperfido does have some center field experience but less than in the corners.
Houston has Zach Cole and Shay Whitcomb on optional assignment. However, Cole recently broke his toe when he was hit by a pitch in a Triple-A game. His timeline is unclear but he’s not immediately available. Whitcomb has far more infield experience than he does on the grass. In terms of non-roster options with outfield experience, they have Taylor Trammell, Cavan Biggio and CJ Alexander.
Photo courtesy of Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images
What about cole pagans?
You must be thinking of Pole Cagans
Remember when he was traded for Hole Camels?
Yeah that was cool heh heh
Meyers also injured. This club I’m sorry to say is headed towards the basement.
History tells me they are going to be in the Wild Card hunt atleast. I have faith they’ll turn it around soon. Offense is on fire and they always seem to pull some unheard of ace from the farm. Still early my friend…
…but yeah I hope they’re headed towards the basement, that Silver Boot is coming north.
Hopefully it stays in the south.
That’s two big injuries to their starters. I don’t think Houston has it in them to be competitive this season…
I wouldn’t count them out yet, but I agree these two injuries could be very hard to overcome if long term.
Mariners already beat ya to the basement. Weeee fun times.
Mariners, now 4-9, just got swept by The Texas Rangers. But… they started last year 4-8 and almost got to The World Series. No worries broski.
Not a fan of either team. Nevertheless Mariners have Never been to WS
The Mariners start is making me feel better.
Frankly, it looked like Javier should have been working on his game in the minors, and hopefully it’s just a short-term injury. The Astros depth is pretty thin, but it should force at least an answer for why Giolito remains unsigned…
Tuco style
Shake it off. Pitch.
Houston in big trouble this season. Pitching injuries with little depth. Imbalanced roster with thin OF. Aging Altuve is defensive liability. Owner is not going over the next tax penalty. Lots to overcome. Their great run will be difficult to continue.
Outfield is fine, Altuve is a long way from being a liability.
Pitching, on the other hand, is a major weakness this year. Brown went shopping for pitchers in the bargain basement, and like real life, you get what you pay for. Imai could well be the Ace of the future, but the rest are simply not good enough.
With Javier more likely butt hurt than arm hurt given how many runs are scored
The Rockies are .500 after bullying the Astros. Someone needed to point it out.
Thank you DonOsbourne. As someone who follows the Rockies very closely this is a new team. Overhauled Front Office and Warren Schaeffer has surrounded himself with new coaching staff. The chemistry in the clubhouse is amazing so far. New faces in the lineup that are having a positive impact. They are not looking back at 2025, but just focused game by game moving forward.
It’s weird to say, but this is first time they have been at .500 this far into the season since May 2022. Been a long nearly 4 years for Rockies fans.
The irony is they had their lowest Tuesday night paid attendance at 15,000 or so. Best start to a season in many moons but now the fans decide not to show up.
Fans will be back as soon as they know the product on the field is major league quality. I just think the 4 years of losing was finally too much for them
Our record is 6-7.
A Pena trade is becoming a necessity.
Johan Oviedo is out two months and is likely out of Boston’s plans this season.
Pena for Oviedo and Mayer would be a good trade for the Astros. They’d get Oviedo back in June and would cut around 8M in payroll.
Story to 3B for Boston, Pena at SS, Durbin at 2B.
Pena to the Dodgers makes sense too. Ryan Ward and River Ryan would be a good return. Loperfido could play a utility role across the OF with Ward in LF. Could add some bop to the lineup.