Fantasy News

• Astros' Cristian Javier: Dominant in win

  Rotowire May 17, 2024

  Javier (3-1) earned the win over the Athletics on Wednesday, pitching six shutout innings while allowing two hits and one walk. He struck out eight. Javier came out firing Thursday, striking out five of the first eight batters he faced before finishing with a season-high eight punchouts on the night. The right-hander threw first-pitch strikes to only nine of the 21 batters he faced, but he also produced 15 whiffs as he cruised to his third win of the season. It was a nice return to form for Javier, who was shelled for seven runs in his first start after returning from the injured list a week ago. The quality start was his third of the campaign, while it also marked the second time this season he's allowed two or fewer hits in an outing.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Shelled in return

  Rotowire May 11, 2024

  Javier (neck) dropped to 2-1 on the season in Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Tigers after allowing seven runs on five hits and four walks with no strikeouts over 1.1 innings. Javier was activated off the 15-day injured list Saturday to make his first start for the Astros since April 14, but the right-hander didn't look quite right in his return from a neck injury. In addition to getting knocked around for seven runs and throwing only 21 of 50 pitches for strikes, Javier's final two fastballs clocked in at 89.7 miles per hour and 90.2 miles per, well below his typical velocity. It's unclear whether his struggles Saturday are an indication that Javier isn't fully recovered from the neck issue or if he was simply rusty, but he's currently penciled in to make his next start at home against Oakland next Thursday.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Activated from IL

  Rotowire May 11, 2024

  The Astros reinstated Javier (neck) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Javier landed on the IL on April 21 due to neck discomfort. He made one rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on May 4, throwing 68 pitches while allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. To make room on the 40-man roster for Javier, Houston designated right-hander Brandon Bielak for assignment. Javier will start Saturday against the Tigers, though the Astros could limit his workload to ease the right-hander back into the rotation.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Set to return Saturday

  Rotowire May 9, 2024

  Javier (neck) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday in Detroit, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Javier will have gone nearly a month in between starts for the Astros when he toes the rubber Saturday, having been sidelined with a neck problem. He's ready to roll now, following one rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi in which he allowed three runs over 3.1 frames. Javier threw just 68 pitches in the outing, so he could be somewhat limited from a workload perspective against the Tigers.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Returning this weekend

  Rotowire May 7, 2024

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Javier (neck) will return from the injured list this weekend to start against the Tigers, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports. Javier will return this weekend after missing just under a month due to the neck issue, though it's unclear exactly which day he'll take the mound in Detroit. The 27-year-old threw 68 pitches over 3.1 frames in his lone rehab outing and may face some minor workload limitations in his first outing back with the Astros.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Could be back by next weekend

  Rotowire May 5, 2024

  Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Javier (neck) is expected to return from the 15-day injured list "by at least the Detroit series," which begins Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. The right-hander threw 68 pitches over 3.1 innings during his rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks. The Astros have already listed their probable starters for the three-game set against the Yankees this week, which sets up Javier to potentially pitch next weekend in Detroit.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Throws 68 pitches in rehab outing

  Rotowire May 5, 2024

  Javier (neck) allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three across 3.1 innings in a rehab outing with Double-A Corpus Christi on Saturday, MLB.com reports. The results weren't overly impressive, but it was otherwise a successful outing for Javier, as he was slated to throw roughly 65 pitches in the outing and met that goal (68 pitches). Assuming no news of a setback emerges, he could rejoin the Astros' rotation at some point in the upcoming week.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Could join rotation next week

  Rotowire May 3, 2024

  Javier (neck) will throw four innings or roughly 60 pitches Saturday for Double-A Corpus Christi before potentially rejoining the big-league rotation, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Manager Joe Espada said the hope is that Javier can rejoin Houston's rotation after this first rehab start, which would line him up to return for a road start either Thursday against the Yankees or Friday versus the Tigers. He has been out since April 14 with neck discomfort.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Slated for rehab assignment

  Rotowire May 2, 2024

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Javier (neck) will begin a rehab assignment over the weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Espada didn't specify exactly when Javier's first rehab appearance will be, nor did he say how long the 27-year-old right-hander will remain in the minors. However, there had been speculation that Javier would be able to avoid a rehab assignment completely, so he may only need to make one start before returning to an Astros rotation that has already dealt with numerous injuries this season.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Could be back for weekend series

  Rotowire May 1, 2024

  Javier (neck) could be activated from the 15-day injured list to make a start during Houston's weekend series against Seattle, MLB.com reports. Javier threw a bullpen session Sunday and is expected to throw again either Wednesday or Thursday. How Javier fares in his upcoming throwing session will likely determine his status for the weekend, though it appears that Javier will be able to avoid a rehab stint even if his absence extends later into May.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Throws bullpen session

  Rotowire Apr 28, 2024

  Javier (neck) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. The right-hander landed on the injured list last Sunday with neck discomfort, but it's encouraging he's back on the mound a week later. Javier will be eligible to be activated during next weekend's three game series versus the Mariners, though it remains to be seen if he's game-ready at that point.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Scratched with neck discomfort

  Rotowire Apr 21, 2024

  Javier was scratched from Sunday's start against the Nationals due to neck discomfort, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. It's unclear when the injury first surfaced for Javier, but he won't be able to start Sunday as scheduled. Hunter Brown will be bumped up to start the series finale in Washington. The Astros have scheduled off days Monday and Friday this week, so the team can get by with four starters until May 4 versus the Mariners, if need be.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Continues strong start

  Rotowire Apr 14, 2024

  Javier (2-0) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks to earn the win Sunday over the Rangers. He struck out five. Javier needed just 89 pitches to complete seven innings, throwing 62 for strikes to earn the win in his longest outing of the season. Javier's command had been a bit shaky going into Sunday's outing, walking eight batters over 10.1 innings during his previous two starts. However, he's provided a much-needed boost to the short-handed Astros rotation, allowing just four earned runs for a 1.54 ERA over his first four starts spanning 23.1 innings. He'll have a chance to improve upon those numbers even further in his next start as he's tentatively slated for a weekend matchup against the Nationals in Washington.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Pitches into sixth versus Royals

  Rotowire Apr 10, 2024

  Javier pitched 5.1 innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out four batters in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Royals. Javier was able to extend his scoreless streak to 15 innings to open the 2024 campaign by blanking the Royals through four frames Tuesday. The right-hander ran into trouble in the bottom of the fifth inning, surrendering a two-out. two-run triple to Bobby Witt before another unearned run came around to score later in the frame. Through three starts, Javier has produced a 1.10 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 13 strikeouts over 16.1 innings. He's tentatively set to return to the mound Sunday at home versus the Rangers.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Lined up for regular season

  Rotowire Mar 18, 2024

  Javier will start the second game of the regular season against the Yankees, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Justin Verlander (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, forcing each of Houston's pitchers to move one slot up in the rotation. That leaves Framber Valdez in line to start Opening Day with Javier to follow one game later. Javier will be looking to bounce back from a subpar 2023 campaign during which he posted a 4.56 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 162 innings.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Struggles to control runners

  Rotowire Mar 3, 2024

  Javier allowed two stolen bases and was slow to the plate during his Grapefruit League outing Saturday against the Cardinals, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Javier pitched well in some regards, as he didn't allow a hit while striking out three and walking two across three scoreless innings of work. However, manager Joe Espada has prioritized limiting stolen bases this spring, which Javier struggled to do last season when he surrendered 22 swiped bags. If he continues to struggle in that area, opposing teams could get even more aggressive on the basepaths in 2024.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Trims down 15 pounds

  Rotowire Feb 22, 2024

  Javier told reporters Thursday that he lost 15 pounds over the offseason, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Javier believes the added weight last season contributed to his mechanical issues and inconsistency. His ERA went from 2.54 to 4.56 and strikeout rate from 33.2 percent to 23.1 percent year-over-year. Javier hopes that by trimming down over the winter he can better lock in his mechanics and get back to what made him a breakout performer in 2022.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Gets nod for Game 3 of ALCS

  Rotowire Oct 16, 2023

  Javier has been confirmed as the starting pitcher for Game 3 of the ALCS against the Rangers, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 reports. Javier will be tasked with helping his club dig out of an 0-2 hole after Houston dropped both games at Minute Maid Park. The right-hander struggled with his command and issued five free passes during Game 3 of the ALDS against the Twins (five walks), but he managed to toss five scoreless innings on just one hit allowed while fanning nine batters.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Confirmed for Game 3

  Rotowire Oct 8, 2023

  Javier will start Game 3 of the ALDS at Minnesota on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez were chosen to start the first two games of the series, and Javier will take the mound for Houston's road opener of the playoffs. The right-hander posted a career-worst 4.56 ERA in 31 starts this season, though he finished the campaign on a strong note with six scoreless innings at Arizona last weekend.

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• Astros' Cristian Javier: Handed fifth loss

  Rotowire Sep 27, 2023

  Javier (9-5) allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Mariners. Javier was tagged for two runs in the third inning and two more before his exit in the fifth. This was his fourth straight outing of no more than five innings, and he's gone six straight starts without a win. The right-hander is at a 4.67 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 155:60 K:BB through 156 innings over 30 starts this season. Javier may not start again in the regular season since the Astros have just four games left, though he'd be available on regular rest by the last game of this weekend's series versus Arizona if Houston manages to secure a playoff spot before then.

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