Cristian

Javier

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.

Javier had made just one start in five appearances since coming off the IL a month ago and gave up three runs in three innings then. Tonight’s showing was quite a bit more promising, especially since he was throwing his secondary pitches harder than had all season. He’s probably not going to turn into a mixed-league option, but if he keeps throwing the way he did tonight, he will be helpful to Houston’s cause. He’ll likely face the Padres on Sunday.

That would have been Tatsuya Imai’s start, but he’s slated to work in relief for now. It was then thought Cristian Javier would start Sunday, but the Astros are pushing back that call for a day. Javier still seems likely to get the ball, but maybe the Astros will acquire another option before then.

Maybe this will prove troublesome going forward, but it still sounds better than most of the alternatives. Arrighetti exited tonight while warming up for the second inning after a rough first that saw him give up three runs. Cristian Javier could step into the rotation if Arrighetti lands on the IL. The rehabbing Hayden Wesneski would also be an option.

It’s a small sampler because of injury, but it’s probably not a good sign when three innings of three-run baseball sees your ERA actually drop to 9.98. It was his first start since returning from the shoulder strain, and it somewhat predictably didn’t go well as he allowed four hits and three walks to go with four strikeouts. It remains to be seen if Javier will remain in the rotation. Fantasy managers have the luxury of not having to worry about Javier; he can remain on the waiver wire.

He’s taking the spot of the demoted Mike Burrows. Javier has allowed one run and walked three over three innings in two relief appearances since being activated last week. He had a 12.54 ERA in three starts to open the year before landing on the IL with a shoulder strain.

The plan appears to be for Javier to pitch out of the bullpen for the time being, probably in a long relief role. There’s not much runway to fantasy value here, but at least Javier is finally healthy enough to pitch again.