Cristian

Javier

Javier winds up requiring a trip to the injured list following his departure from Tuesday’s start against the Mariners after just two innings due to groin tightness. The 29-year-old’s absence is another hit to Houston’s rotation depth as they attempt to stay in the AL West division race with the Rangers entering their final handful of games. The big question is whether Javier will be able to return at some point in the postseason. There should be additional clarity on his status in the coming days.

Miguel Ullola took over with a 4-0 lead against the Mariners. Javier was expected to make another start Sunday against the A’s, but that’s up in the air now.

He didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning and was allowed to face Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner with runners on to finish the sixth. Unfortunately he was facing Zack Wheeler and that tends to make win chances scarce. Javier has now allowed just two runs over his last two starts while striking out 13 in 11 innings, lowering his season ERA from 6.45 to 5.50 in the process. Start of a turnaround? He’ll be on the streaming radar against the Royals next week.

Javier gave up one hit, walked three and struck out eight. He improved to 2-5 with the win. Javier hadn’t completed five innings in any of his last three starts. He’s not worth the trouble for fantasy managers in mixed leagues at this point. Javier will take a 5.98 ERA into his start against the Phillies next week.

Bennett Sousa opened the game for the Astros and gave up a run on two walks and a base hit before handing it over to Javier with two outs. Javier retired the final batter to get out of the inning, then pitched three scoreless frames before running into trouble in the fifth. The Mets got to Javier for three runs on four hits, including a two-run triple by Jared Young. Javier would finish out the frame and end his day with a 6.45 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and a 42/19 K/BB ratio across 44 2/3 innings. His next outing is scheduled to come on Friday against the Diamondbacks in Houston.

Javier will operate in a bulk relief capacity behind opener Bennett Sousa. The 29-year-old allowed three runs over four inning against the Athletics last weekend. It probably makes some sense to have him come in after an opener since he’s worked beyond the fifth inning just once in four starts since returning to Houston’s rotation earlier this month.

Javier struck out eight over four scoreless innings before giving up a single, a walk and a three-run homer to start the fifth, bringing a sudden end to had what started out as a promising performance. Javier has allowed 12 earned runs over 19 innings in four starts since moving into the rotation at the beginning of the month. All of those games turned into losses for the Astros. He might head back to the pen now with Mike Burrows due to return.

Javier tossed two scoreless innings, then gave up a run on two hits and a walk in the third. Josh Lowe then took him deep for a solo homer in the fourth. Javier needed 87 pitches to get through the four frames. Bryan King would take over on the mound in the fifth. Javier struck out five batters and ended the day with a 6.44 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, and a 30/17 K/BB ratio across 36 1/3 innings. He’ll take on the Athletics in Houston on Sunday.

The Astros had Ethan Pecko scratched from his Triple-A start in case they wanted to bring him up, but it looks like the plan now is to stick with Javier, assuming he’s not needed in relief tonight. Javier gave up four runs in five innings against the Padres in his last start.

Javier gave up flyball after flyball tonight and while most turned into outs, two became homers. But that’s Javier these days. He’s been an extreme flyball pitcher since the day he entered the league, but he no longer gets enough strikeouts to make it work; he fanned just two tonight and has a 25/16 K/BB in 32 1/3 innings over the course of the season. The Astros have Thursday and next Monday off, so there’s a good chance that they’ll put Javier back into the bullpen for a spell.