Inside the Astros

Astros Star Pitchers Making Positive Strides in Return to Mound From Lengthy Rehab

The Houston Astros have to be happy with their injured starting pitchers making progress in his return to the mound.
Kenneth Teape|
May 16, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (53) delivers a pitch during the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park.
May 16, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (53) delivers a pitch during the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park. | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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Houston Astros

The Houston Astros are dealing with an unprecedented amount of injuries to their starting pitching staff.

Their depth is being tested with Spencer Arrighetti, Hayden Wesneski and Ronel Blanco all suffering injuries during the season. Lance McCullers Jr., who made his return to the Major Leagues for the first time since the 2022 World Series, also found his way back on the injured list.

That is on top of the team beginning the year with three starters -- J.P. France, Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia -- all sidelined with long-term injuries.

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Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown are holding down the fort as arguably the best one-two punch in baseball, but at some point, they are going to need to find some help behind those two.

It won’t come from Arrighetti, who, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, has yet to resume throwing off a mound. Wesneski and Blanco are both done for the year, and likely most of 2026, after having to undergo Tommy John surgery.

While that news isn’t positive, Houston did provide encouraging updates on the status of Javier and Garcia.

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Javier is progressing nicely, getting through a 20-pitch live batting practice session on Thursday. Manager Joe Espada shared that he hit 95 mph on the radar gun.

The team is hopeful that Garcia can have just as productive of a live batting practice session when he takes the mound some time next week.

Both hurlers are rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.

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Javier underwent his procedure in June 2024 while Garcia has been sidelined since May 2023.

Rome also provided an update on the status of star designated hitter, Yordan Alvarez.

He has not made an appearance since May 2 because of a hand injury, which was revealed to be a fracture earlier in June.

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Alvarez has yet to resume hitting, which has to be frustrating for the fans to read, as updates don’t seem accurate from the team after misdiagnosing or not sharing accurate information about the injury in the first place.

For more Astros news, head over to Astros On SI.

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Kenneth Teape
KENNETH TEAPE

Kenneth Teape is an alumnus of SUNY Old Westbury and graduated in 2013 with an Honors Degree in Media Communications with a focus on print journalism. During his time at Old Westbury, he worked for the school newspaper and several online publications, such as Knicks Now, the official website of the New York Knicks, and a self-made website with fellow students, Gotham City Sports News. Kenneth has also been a site expert at Empire Writes Back, Musket Fire, and Lake Show Life within the FanSided Network. He was a contributor to HoopsHabit, with work featured on Bleacher Report and Yardbarker. In addition to his work here, he is a reporter for both NBA Analysis Network and NFL Analysis Network, as well as a writer and editor for Packers Coverage. You can follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @teapester725, or reach him via email at teapester725@gmail.com.

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