The Astros have been hit with yet another pitching injury.
Houston starter Cristian Javier was placed on the injured list with a Grade 2 shoulder strain, the team announced Friday.
He joins Astros ace Hunter Brown, who is also on the IL with a Grade 2 shoulder strain.
Javier left the game before the start of the second inning after he felt something in his throwing shoulder.
Starting pitcher Cristian Javier of the Houston Astros walks off the field with a member of the training staff before being unable to pitch in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 8, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. Getty Images “I think it will be good results, hopefully,” Javier said through an interpreter after the game, per MLB.com. “I’m trusting in God that everything comes back fine and I can be able to make my next outing. … I did a couple strength tests [on the shoulder] and they came out pretty good.”
The team is now down two starters as they plan to go to a six-man rotation for a tough stretch on the schedule over the next couple of weeks.
The two injuries come as the Astros are dealing with the loss of two-time All-Star Framber Valdez, who left Houston for a three-year, $115 million contract with the Tigers.
Javier was a key part of the Astros’ starting rotation in 2022-23, posting a 3.59 ERA over those two seasons.
Starting pitcher Cristian Javier of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 8, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. Getty Images But arm issues became a problem in 2024.
After just seven starts that season, Javier underwent Tommy John surgery and didn’t return until late last season.
Upon his return, Javier posted a 4.62 ERA over eight outings.
Javier has allowed 13 earned runs over just 9 ⅓ innings across three starts thus far this season.
The Astros have lost four games in a row and sit at 6-7 heading into Friday’s game against the Mariners.
