Fantasy News

• Astros' Cristian Javier: Returning this weekend

  Rotowire May 7, 2024

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Javier (neck) will return from the injured list this weekend to start against the Tigers, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports. Javier will return this weekend after missing just under a month due to the neck issue, though it's unclear exactly which day he'll take the mound in Detroit. The 27-year-old threw 68 pitches over 3.1 frames in his lone rehab outing and may face some minor workload limitations in his first outing back with the Astros.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Could be back by next weekend

  Rotowire May 5, 2024

  Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Javier (neck) is expected to return from the 15-day injured list "by at least the Detroit series," which begins Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. The right-hander threw 68 pitches over 3.1 innings during his rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks. The Astros have already listed their probable starters for the three-game set against the Yankees this week, which sets up Javier to potentially pitch next weekend in Detroit.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Throws 68 pitches in rehab outing

  Rotowire May 5, 2024

  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.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Could join rotation next week

  Rotowire May 3, 2024

  Javier (neck) will throw four innings or roughly 60 pitches Saturday for Double-A Corpus Christi before potentially rejoining the big-league rotation, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Manager Joe Espada said the hope is that Javier can rejoin Houston's rotation after this first rehab start, which would line him up to return for a road start either Thursday against the Yankees or Friday versus the Tigers. He has been out since April 14 with neck discomfort.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Slated for rehab assignment

  Rotowire May 2, 2024

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Javier (neck) will begin a rehab assignment over the weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Espada didn't specify exactly when Javier's first rehab appearance will be, nor did he say how long the 27-year-old right-hander will remain in the minors. However, there had been speculation that Javier would be able to avoid a rehab assignment completely, so he may only need to make one start before returning to an Astros rotation that has already dealt with numerous injuries this season.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Could be back for weekend series

  Rotowire May 1, 2024

  Javier (neck) could be activated from the 15-day injured list to make a start during Houston's weekend series against Seattle, MLB.com reports. Javier threw a bullpen session Sunday and is expected to throw again either Wednesday or Thursday. How Javier fares in his upcoming throwing session will likely determine his status for the weekend, though it appears that Javier will be able to avoid a rehab stint even if his absence extends later into May.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Throws bullpen session

  Rotowire Apr 28, 2024

  Javier (neck) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. The right-hander landed on the injured list last Sunday with neck discomfort, but it's encouraging he's back on the mound a week later. Javier will be eligible to be activated during next weekend's three game series versus the Mariners, though it remains to be seen if he's game-ready at that point.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Scratched with neck discomfort

  Rotowire Apr 21, 2024

  Javier was scratched from Sunday's start against the Nationals due to neck discomfort, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. It's unclear when the injury first surfaced for Javier, but he won't be able to start Sunday as scheduled. Hunter Brown will be bumped up to start the series finale in Washington. The Astros have scheduled off days Monday and Friday this week, so the team can get by with four starters until May 4 versus the Mariners, if need be.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Continues strong start

  Rotowire Apr 14, 2024

  Javier (2-0) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks to earn the win Sunday over the Rangers. He struck out five. Javier needed just 89 pitches to complete seven innings, throwing 62 for strikes to earn the win in his longest outing of the season. Javier's command had been a bit shaky going into Sunday's outing, walking eight batters over 10.1 innings during his previous two starts. However, he's provided a much-needed boost to the short-handed Astros rotation, allowing just four earned runs for a 1.54 ERA over his first four starts spanning 23.1 innings. He'll have a chance to improve upon those numbers even further in his next start as he's tentatively slated for a weekend matchup against the Nationals in Washington.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Pitches into sixth versus Royals

  Rotowire Apr 10, 2024

  Javier pitched 5.1 innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out four batters in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Royals. Javier was able to extend his scoreless streak to 15 innings to open the 2024 campaign by blanking the Royals through four frames Tuesday. The right-hander ran into trouble in the bottom of the fifth inning, surrendering a two-out. two-run triple to Bobby Witt before another unearned run came around to score later in the frame. Through three starts, Javier has produced a 1.10 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 13 strikeouts over 16.1 innings. He's tentatively set to return to the mound Sunday at home versus the Rangers.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Lined up for regular season

  Rotowire Mar 18, 2024

  Javier will start the second game of the regular season against the Yankees, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Justin Verlander (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, forcing each of Houston's pitchers to move one slot up in the rotation. That leaves Framber Valdez in line to start Opening Day with Javier to follow one game later. Javier will be looking to bounce back from a subpar 2023 campaign during which he posted a 4.56 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 162 innings.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Struggles to control runners

  Rotowire Mar 3, 2024

  Javier allowed two stolen bases and was slow to the plate during his Grapefruit League outing Saturday against the Cardinals, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Javier pitched well in some regards, as he didn't allow a hit while striking out three and walking two across three scoreless innings of work. However, manager Joe Espada has prioritized limiting stolen bases this spring, which Javier struggled to do last season when he surrendered 22 swiped bags. If he continues to struggle in that area, opposing teams could get even more aggressive on the basepaths in 2024.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Trims down 15 pounds

  Rotowire Feb 22, 2024

  Javier told reporters Thursday that he lost 15 pounds over the offseason, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Javier believes the added weight last season contributed to his mechanical issues and inconsistency. His ERA went from 2.54 to 4.56 and strikeout rate from 33.2 percent to 23.1 percent year-over-year. Javier hopes that by trimming down over the winter he can better lock in his mechanics and get back to what made him a breakout performer in 2022.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Gets nod for Game 3 of ALCS

  Rotowire Oct 16, 2023

  Javier has been confirmed as the starting pitcher for Game 3 of the ALCS against the Rangers, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 reports. Javier will be tasked with helping his club dig out of an 0-2 hole after Houston dropped both games at Minute Maid Park. The right-hander struggled with his command and issued five free passes during Game 3 of the ALDS against the Twins (five walks), but he managed to toss five scoreless innings on just one hit allowed while fanning nine batters.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Confirmed for Game 3

  Rotowire Oct 8, 2023

  Javier will start Game 3 of the ALDS at Minnesota on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez were chosen to start the first two games of the series, and Javier will take the mound for Houston's road opener of the playoffs. The right-hander posted a career-worst 4.56 ERA in 31 starts this season, though he finished the campaign on a strong note with six scoreless innings at Arizona last weekend.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Turns in scoreless outing

  Rotowire Oct 1, 2023

  Javier (10-5) yielded three hits and two walks over six shutout frames Sunday, striking out four and earning a win over Arizona. Javier allowed just one extra-base hit and never found himself in much danger Sunday, cruising to his 10th victory. It was his first win since Aug. 21 and first scoreless appearance since June 15. Despite posting a 2.84 ERA through his first 12 starts, Javier ended the regular season with a disappointing 4.56 ERA through 162 innings. In 11 starts since the beginning of August, he recorded a 5.00 ERA.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Handed fifth loss

  Rotowire Sep 27, 2023

  Javier (9-5) allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Mariners. Javier was tagged for two runs in the third inning and two more before his exit in the fifth. This was his fourth straight outing of no more than five innings, and he's gone six straight starts without a win. The right-hander is at a 4.67 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 155:60 K:BB through 156 innings over 30 starts this season. Javier may not start again in the regular season since the Astros have just four games left, though he'd be available on regular rest by the last game of this weekend's series versus Arizona if Houston manages to secure a playoff spot before then.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Logs 11 strikeouts in no-decision

  Rotowire Sep 20, 2023

  Javier did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing a run on three hits and two walks over five innings in a 2-1 victory over the Orioles. He struck out 11. After allowing a run in the opening frame, Javier would rebound to blank the Orioles over his final four innings, matching a season high with 11 strikeouts. Though he's now gone three consecutive outings without a quality start, it was a positive performance from Javier, who'd struggled to a 6.28 ERA in his previous six starts (28.2 innings). Overall, the right-hander is 9-4 with a 4.64 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 149:57 K:BB across 29 starts (151.1 innings) this season. Javier's currently lined up to face the Mariners on the road early next week in what will likely be his final regular-season outing.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Comes up short in K.C.

  Rotowire Sep 16, 2023

  Javier (9-4) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk over five innings as the Astros fell 4-2 to the Royals. He struck out six. Single runs by Kansas City in the third, fourth and fifth innings -- the latter two on solo shots by Nelson Velazquez and Bobby Witt -- proved to be too much for the Houston offense to overcome, and Javier got the hook after 81 pitches (52 strikes). The right-hander has served up at least one homer in nine straight outings, a stretch in which he has a rough 5.68 ERA and 1.47 WHIP despite a 44:22 K:BB through 44.1 innings. Javier will try to get back on track in his next start, likely to come at home next week against the Orioles.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Struggles in four-inning outing

  Rotowire Sep 10, 2023

  Javier allowed four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five batters over four innings in a no-decision against San Diego on Saturday. Javier got through three frames without allowing a run before things fell apart in the fourth. In that inning, the right-hander surrendered four runs on three hits and a pair of walks, with a Jurickson Profar two-run homer being the big blow. Javier didn't return to the mound for the fifth, marking his second four-inning start over his past three contests. Walks have been an issue in both of those outings -- he issued six free passes Aug. 28 against Boston. Javier held a 2.90 ERA through his first 14 starts of the season, but that mark has jumped to 4.78 due to an ugly 7.27 ERA over his subsequent 13 appearances.

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