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Astros to Activate Cristian Javier and Shift Him to the Bullpen

The club is prioritizing Javier’s workload and current rotation balance after a shoulder rehab that showed solid strikeouts but a dip in velocity.

The Astros' Cristian Javier has primarily been a starter since 2022 but his return from the IL will be as a reliever, although that move may not be permanent.

Overview

  • Manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Javier will be activated from the injured list this week and immediately used out of the bullpen rather than returned to the starting rotation.
  • Javier’s rehab assignment lasted close to the 30-day limit and produced about 20 strikeouts and eight runs in roughly 17 innings while his average fastball sat near 92.2 mph.
  • The right-hander was on the IL with a Grade 2 shoulder strain after three early-season starts and he previously missed time for Tommy John surgery in 2024, leaving his workload and durability as key concerns.
  • Espada described the role as a traditional reliever job for now, not long relief, and stressed the decision is situational and could change depending on how starters perform and recover.
  • Javier is in year four of a five-year, $64 million extension, a salary and injury history that make trades unlikely though possible with salary help, and the move may affect bullpen usage and trade talk around other relievers.