Cristian

Javier

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.

Espada added that Javier will be activated from the injured list for Friday’s series opener against the Rays and that the move isn’t permanent. The 29-year-old has been on the shelf with a Grade 2 shoulder strain since early April. It seems like he could move back into Houston’s rotation at some point in the second half. His stuff should play up in shorter bursts out of the bullpen, but he’s not exactly a relevant fantasy option outside of extremely deep leagues.

Teng hung a third-inning curveball over the plate to Kerry Carpenter, who promptly deposited the offering into the right-field seats for a go-ahead grand slam. It was one of eight hits that he allowed in the abbreviated outing where he finished with just one strikeout. The 27-year-old’s spot in Houston’s rotation appears to be in serious jeopardy, especially with Cristian Javier (shoulder) on the precipice of making it back to the majors. He’s tentatively scheduled to face the Rays next weekend, but that seems highly likely to change.

A little bit of a surprise, as it seemed likely that Javier would be activated this weekend. Hunter Brown is expected to start Sunday. Teng pitched well last time out, holding the Guardians to one run in six innings on Saturday, but his ERA stands at 5.06 in eight outings since he moved into the rotation.

If all goes well with that outing, Javier should be cleared to rejoin the Astros’ rotation next weekend. The 29-year-old right-hander is working his way back from a Grade 2 shoulder strain that has had him shelved since April 10.

Javier struck out six and threw threw 63 pitches over 3 1/3 innings in his latest rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday night. The 29-year-old will rejoin Houston’s rotation in early July. He’s been on the shelf recovering from a Grade 2 shoulder strain since April 10.