Houston Astros Injury Update – Cristian Javier’s Forearm Issues Threatens to Disrupt the Astronauts’ Great Rise

If catching a break was a reality show, the Houston Astros would be the first team to get eliminated. At least this season, they just can’t catch a break. The team was coming out of their awful start. With them already climbing to the third spot in the AL West, one wondered whether they’d be doing the unthinkable soon. But now it looks like another injury might have struck them. It seems Cristian Javier might head back to the doctor’s room again.

The depleted pitching staff of the Astros might be getting another jolt because of Cristian Javier’s discomfort. The Houston Astros were almost ready to start him against the AL West leaders’ Seattle Mariners this Tuesday. As a result, he was getting ready to throw a bullpen session but couldn’t turn up to the mound. Later, the Houston Astros’ manager, Joe Espada, informed the reporters (per Houston Chronicles) that this was a precautionary act.

The skipper noted Javier was having “a little forearm discomfort” because of which his bullpen was scrapped. Despite Espada’s reluctance to label it as a significant problem, he acknowledged that Cristian Javier was currently managing the injury on a day-to-day basis. However, that has cast an enormous shadow over Tuesday’s start. Suddenly, the already under-pressure Astros bullpen might be looking at even more trouble.

Naturally, the Astronauts hope Javier’s soreness will fade in a few days. If the need arises, the team can put him on a 15-day IL. Though that would put the team under a lot of stress, at least it’ll ensure that Javier will return completely freshened up. Still, this adds another layer to the injury crisis that has captured the Houston Astros’ pitching staff.

With their bullpen already in disarray, such injuries to starters might just prove to be overkill during these 29 games in a 30-day run. Still, at least for now, the Astros have a few options available.

What the Houston Astros might look like in the absence of Cristian Javier

The Astros have recently signed MLB veteran Eric Lauer to a minor league deal. One wonders whether this could be his moment to shine. And with Ronel Blanco returning from suspension, the Astros need to cover up for two stars if they’re forced to put Javier on a 15-day IL. With Hunger Brown and Spencer Arrighetti too available, there are multiple options for the Houston Astros.

As for Cristian Javier, the pitcher has already missed a sizeable portion of the season because of his neck issues. And now this injury could prove to be another setback in a season where he’s not performing particularly well (3.89ERA). But then his average fastball speed had declined by 1.5mph. Perhaps a slight break can help him regain strength in his arm? That’s the best-case scenario in case of an IL visit.