Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (elbow) was able to throw a 20-pitch live batting practice session last week. Javier reportedly looked good during the session and was able to hit 95 mph on his fastball, according to Astros' manager Joe Espada. It's nice to see Javier progressing to face live hitters. He continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery from last year. The assumption is Javier is going to need a few rehab outings before rejoining the Astros rotation. Hopefully, Javier can be an asset to this pitching staff in the second half.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (elbow) has progressed in his recovery from Tommy John surgery to the point that he will be ready to throw live batting practice on Friday in West Palm Beach, according to Astros manager Joe Espada. Javier threw off a mound for the first time since his surgery last Friday and was limited to just 15 pitches. He'll likely have another severe limitation in this session as he continues to recover and build up strength. Since he has been sidelined since May of last year, he'll likely need an extended minor-league rehab assignment before he's ready to rejoin the Astros' rotation, but this is another step towards his return, which could come in late July or August if he doesn't have any setbacks.

Houston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier (elbow) threw a 40-pitch bullpen session in Florida last Wednesday and then threw another 20-pitch bullpen session on Monday, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome. Javier is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and has been throwing off the mound for a month, but he has yet to be cleared to face live hitters. However, that could be coming soon for the 28-year-old. Even if he avoids any setbacks as he continues to ramp up, Javier isn't going to be an option to return to the major-league roster until some point in the second half of 2025. The Dominican pitcher made only seven starts last year before he was shut down, going 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 27:19 K:BB in 34 2/3 frames. Javier is going to have limited fantasy appeal the rest of this season as the Astros ease him back into the fold.

Houston Astros starting pitchers Luis Garcia (elbow) and Cristian Javier (elbow) continue to progress in their return from Tommy John surgery, but each is still just throwing bullpen sessions and not ready to progress to live batting practice. Each pitcher is hoping to work towards a late-July or early-August return to the rotation, although they still have several steps before a firm timetable can be established. Since they have been out for a year, they will likely need long rehab stints to ramp up before they can offer any help to Houston's rotation or your fantasy team. Neither needs to be stashed at this point, but it's worth keeping an eye on them as they continue to progress in their recovery.

According to Ari Alexander of KPRC2, Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (elbow) is targeting a return to the mound following the All-Star Break. Javier underwent Tommy John surgery in June. Across 34 2/3 innings last season, Javier posted a 3.89 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. He struck out 27 batters and held a 12.7% walk rate. In 2023 across a career-high 162 innings, Javier held a 4.56 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP with 159 punchouts. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status during the first half of the season, as he could embark on a rehab assignment during the early months of the campaign. With Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) and Luis Garcia (elbow) also expected to miss Opening Day, fantasy managers should expect Hayden Wesneski to have a spot in the rotation. 25-year-old Ryan Gusto could also contend for a spot during spring training. Javier should not be targeted in standard fantasy leagues given how much time he is expected to miss.

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said on Thursday that right-handers Cristian Javier (elbow) and Jose Urquidy (elbow) are both projected to return at the end of July in 2025, "hopefully earlier." Javier and Urquidy both had Tommy John surgery in June of this year, so they will most likely miss all of the first half of next season as they recover. Javier is the more attractive fantasy option, but neither pitcher is going to be able to make any kind of impact until after the All-Star break, and even then, they'll both be risky coming of TJ surgery. The 27-year-old Javier only made seven starts for Houston in 2024, going 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 27 K's and 19 walks in 34 2/3 innings. Urquidy was unable to pitch at all in the big leagues in 2024, and he only appeared in 16 (10 starts) games in 2023 due to injuries as well.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday that both starting pitchers Cristian Javier (forearm) and Jose Urquidy (forearm) are "getting opinions from other doctors." Espada said earlier this week that both pitchers were examined by doctors on Monday, but their imaging results haven't been disclosed. Javier was unable to throw a scheduled bullpen session on Sunday due to right forearm discomfort, and he was then placed on the injured list for the second time this season. Urquidy, on the other hand, has missed the entire season with a right forearm strain and was close to rejoining Houston's rotation before suffering a setback during a minor-league rehab assignment. This could lead to a pretty significant development for the two hurlers, who both currently have no clear timetable for a return to the Astros. Although Urquidy isn't a must-stash fantasy player, we'd recommend holding onto Javier until more is known.

Houston Astros starter Cristian Javier (forearm) has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right forearm discomfort. Javier saw his velocity plummet in his most recent start and missed his scheduled bullpen session on Sunday morning. It has been a frustrating season for a number of Astros pitchers and Javier is no exception. He previously missed 18 days on the injured list back in April with neck discomfort. The 27-year-old was fantastic to start the 2024 season but surrendered 11 runs across 11 1/3 innings after returning from his previous ailment. It remains to be seen how much time Javier will miss, although the team does not seem to think the injury is overly significant. Hunter Brown will start Tuesday's game in place of Javier and Eric Lauer could come back to the big leagues if the Astros want to stick with a six-man rotation.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (forearm) was unable to throw his scheduled bullpen session on Sunday. This is an interesting development considering Javier is scheduled to start against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. For now, Javier is being considered as day-to-day due to forearm discomfort. The expectation is that the Astros will give an update on Javier's status prior to Monday's game. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier had his best start of the season on Thursday, going six scoreless innings in an 8-1 win over the Oakland Athletics. Javier allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out a season-high eight. The 27-year-old got 15 whiffs on 39 swings, including five on his slider, six on his changeup, and four on his fastball, indicating he had everything working in this one. He lowered his ERA to 3.23 and his WHIP to 1.24 with the solid start. Although things haven't been easy for Javier this season, he is worth rostering in fantasy because of his ability to have outings like this one.

Houston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier (neck) will start on Saturday against the Detroit Tigers in the Motor City, with lefty Framber Valdez starting the series opener on Friday and right-hander Justin Verlander going on Sunday. While it's a solid matchup for Javier, fantasy baseball managers need to remember that Javier has been out almost a month with a neck injury. In his lone minor-league rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi, Javier gave up three runs in just 3 1/3 innings (68 pitches), so he's also probably not going to go very deep in his first start back in Detroit on Saturday. Even though he might be a shaky starting option this weekend, Javier deserves to be rostered in all fantasy formats after starting the year 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 18 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings over his first four starts.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (neck) is scheduled to make his return to the mound this weekend. The 27-year-old appears to be ready to pitch after making a rehab start in Double-A on Saturday. This is good news for the Astros who have a banged up rotation right now. Javier will get a favorable matchup against the Detroit Tigers. There shouldn't be any restrictions on Javier, so fantasy managers should feel safe plugging him right back into their lineups.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (neck) tossed 3 1/3 innings in his rehab start with Double-A on Saturday. He allowed three earned runs, three hits, two free passes, and struck out three. He threw a total of 68 pitches. After being scratched from a scheduled start on April 21 and hitting the injured list, Javier seems to be complete with his recovery process and should be expected to rejoin the Astros rotation next week. As a result, rookie Spencer Arrighetti will most likely lose his spot and be sent back to the minors. The 27-year-old has a 1.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 23 1/3 innings with 18 strikeouts this season and should be rostered in all fantasy formats.

Houston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier (neck) will embark on a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend. It was reported earlier this week that Javier had a shot to come off the 15-day injured list to start this weekend against the Seattle Mariners, but that won't be the case. Instead, the 27-year-old will make a start in the minors. If that goes well, he should come off the IL to join Houston's rotation at some point late next week. The Dominican hurler should be rostered in all fantasy formats after starting the 2024 season with a 2-0 record, 1.54 ERA (3.57 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with 11 walks and 18 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings over his first four starts. When Javier is back in the fold in Houston, rookie Spencer Arrighetti will likely be sent back to the minors.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Tuesday that starting pitcher Cristian Javier (neck) is an option to start Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. A lot will depend on how the next few days go for Javier, who threw off the mound ahead of Tuesday's game versus the visiting Cleveland Guardians as he recuperates from discomfort in his neck. If Javier comes away with no setbacks in his throwing progression, it looks like he won't need a brief minor-league rehab assignment before the Stros activate him from the injured list. The 27-year-old star right-hander owns a 1.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 18:11 K:BB over 23 1/3 innings (four starts) out of Houston's injury-riddled rotation, and his return would almost certainly send struggling rookie righty Spencer Arrighetti back to the minor leagues.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (neck) threw a bullpen session prior to Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Javier had flown to Chicago on Tuesday to receive treatment and get checked out by team doctors, and he appears to be progressing well in his recovery from discomfort in his neck. There's a chance the 27-year-old star right-hander could come off the 15-day injured list and start in this upcoming weekend's three-game series against the division-rival Seattle Mariners, which begins on Friday. With a 1.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 18 strikeouts and 11 walks through 23 1/3 innings (four starts) for the Stros this season, Javier is certainly a must-stash fantasy player with his return perhaps looming. Rookie righty Spencer Arrighetti will draw Thursday's start against the visiting Cleveland Guardians, but he's given up 13 runs across 10 2/3 frames in Houston's injury-riddled rotation this year.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (neck) played catch on Wednesday back in Houston. Javier is not with the team during their road series with the Chicago Cubs after flying back home on Tuesday to get checked out by team doctors, but it's encouraging to hear he's throwing. The 27-year-old star right-hander is working his way back from discomfort in his right neck, and it's unclear if he'll need a brief rehab assignment before being activated from the 15-day injured list. Fantasy managers should expect him to remain sidelined through early May, though. Although he has a weak 18:11 K:BB through 23 1/3 innings (four starts) for the Stros, Javier's 1.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP makes him a must-stash player. Rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti is making starts in Houston's injury-riddled rotation, but he's struggled to muster much fantasy usability to this point.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (neck) was scratched from Sunday's start earlier in the day and now will be placed on the 15-day injured list. The move to the injured list was made to "give him time," according to manager Joe Espada. It is unclear when this problem arose for Javier and hopefully it is not a long-term issue. The 27-year-old has been a bright spot for a battered Astros rotation to start the season. He has gone 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 18/11 K/BB across his first four starts. More information about the injury will surely come out over the next few days. Javier should obviously be stashed in all fantasy formats while he is sidelined.

Houston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier (neck) has been scratched from his start on Sunday versus the Washington Nationals with "neck discomfort." Right-hander Hunter Brown will start in his place. Fantasy managers will obviously want to move Javier to their benches for Sunday's action. The Astros have an off day on Monday, but it's unclear when the 27-year-old Javier will be able to make his next start. Fantasy baseball managers will want to check back later on Sunday or Monday for more details on the severity of Javier's neck injury. The Dominican hurler has been excellent in his first four starts in 2024, going 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA (3.66 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP while walking 11 and striking out 18 batters in 23 1/3 innings pitched.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier was superb during Wednesday's 8-0 rout of the Toronto Blue Jays, tossing five innings of one-hit ball with three strikeouts to record his first win of the season. Javier walked five in this one, but the free passes didn't come back to haunt him in this scoreless outing. With the effort, the 27-year-old Dominican right-hander now boasts 11 shutout frames with nine punchouts through his initial two appearances of 2024. Javier gets the Kansas City Royals and ace left-hander Cole Ragans next Tuesday for the start of a three-game series, and a pitching duel could be in store for that one. Despite being winless with a 7.20 ERA in two appearances against the Royals since 2022, Javier will still be a strong fantasy play on the road.