The Astros have activated right-hander Cristian Javier from the 15-day injured list, as Javier will get the start in today’s game against the Tigers. To make room for Javier on the active roster, right-hander Brandon Bielak has been designated for assignment.
Javier blasted out of the gates this season, posting a 1.54 ERA over his first 23 1/3 innings and four starts. While a 5.29 SIERA painted a much less favorable picture of Javier’s performance due to such factors as his .215 BABIP, 18.9% strikeout rate and 11.6% walk rate, the Astros can hardly argue with the results given how desperately the team has needed all the quality pitching it can get. Unfortunately, Javier joined several other Houston pitchers on the IL when he was sidelined just under a month ago due to neck discomfort.
With Javier, Justin Verlander, and Framber Valdez now all back from stints on the injured list, the rotation has slowly started to take on its intended form, even if Luis Garcia, Jose Urquidy, Lance McCullers Jr., and J.P. France are all still on the mend. The combination of the three healthy starters plus Ronel Blanco will be the top four starters in what could be a six-man rotation for the time being, since the Astros are in the midst of playing 29 games in a 30-day span. Neither Hunter Brown or Spencer Arrighetti has pitched well this season, but they could be penciled in as the fifth and sixth starters if Houston does decide to expand the rotation to give everyone more rest.
More to come…
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