Javier allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over three innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Javier made his first start and third appearance since returning from a three-month absence due to a shoulder injury. The results weren't great, as he struggled heavily in the second inning, though the Astros were able to get him off the hook later in the contest. Javier has pitched to a 9.98 ERA and 12:15 K:BB across 15.1 innings over six appearances (four starts) this season. With reinforcements on the way from the injured list in the latter part of July, Javier will need to show a better overall performance if he's to stay in the conversation for a rotation spot.

Javier will start for the Astros on Sunday versus Texas, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Javier will take the mound for Houston's final game before the All-Star break after coming out of the bullpen in his previous two outings following a nearly three-month stint on the IL. While the right-hander threw only 39 and 30 pitches, respectively, in those two relief appearances, he worked up to 85 pitches and six innings during a five-game rehab assignment, so his start Sunday could last several frames. Manager Joe Espada said after Javier returned from the IL that his move to the bullpen wasn't necessarily permanent, so it's possible that the 29-year-old hurler will remain in the rotation following the break if he fares well Sunday.

Javier allowed a hit and two walks in a scoreless inning in Wednesday's 8-2 loss to the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Javier was called upon for mop-up duty in the eighth inning Wednesday, as he continues to work his way back from a shoulder strain. The right-hander allowed a single and a walk to the first two batters he faced, though he'd ultimately make it through the inning unscathed. It's the first scoreless appearance of the season for Javier, who surrendered 13 runs across 9.1 innings prior to his IL stint, before giving up a run on two hits over two innings in relief against Tampa Bay in his return Sunday.

The Astros activated Javier (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Javier will work out of Houston's bullpen after missing the past three months with a shoulder strain. The right-hander operated as a starter during his rehab assignment, but the Astros are going to use the veteran out of the bullpen, at least initially. Manager Joe Espada said it's not necessarily a permanent move.

Javier (shoulder) will be activated from the injured list Friday and work out of the bullpen going forward, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Javier hasn't thrown more than 40 innings in the majors since 2023, so his move to the bullpen could be an attempt by Houston to limit his workload once he comes off the IL. The 29-year-old righty has already pitched 9.1 frames across three starts with Houston this season, coughing up 13 earned runs while striking out four batters and walking nine. Manager Joe Espada noted that Javier's move to the pen isn't necessarily permanent, so he could reclaim a spot in the rotation after he settles in.

Javier (shoulder) struck out four and scattered three hits and two walks over six scoreless innings Saturday in a rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land.

EDGE Analysis

Making the fifth start of his rehab assignment and his fourth in a row with Sugar Land, Javier turned in a brilliant performance while building up to 85 pitches (52 strikes). Though he averaged 91.8 mph with his four-seam fastball -- down a full tick from his average in three starts with Houston before landing on the shelf -- Javier was still able to make bats miss, as he induced six whiffs on that pitch and along five whiffs on his changeup. Javier will likely return from the 60-day injured list to make a start this weekend against the Rays in Houston, sliding into the rotation spot vacated by Kai-Wei Teng, who was demoted to Triple-A last weekend.

Javier (shoulder) struck out five and allowed three earned runs on five hits and three walks across 4.2 innings Sunday in his rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land.

EDGE Analysis

Javier's control wasn't on point during Sunday's start -- the fourth of his rehab assignment -- but he was able to build up to 75 pitches (43 strikes) and looks ready to return from the 60-day injured list from a workload standpoint. He'll presumably join the Astros on their road trip this week and throw a bullpen session Tuesday or Wednesday before likely slotting back into the big-league rotation this weekend in Detroit. Javier, who has been on the shelf since April 10 due to a Grade 2 right shoulder strain, posted a 6.17 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB in 11.2 innings over his four starts between Sugar Land and Double-A Corpus Christi.

Javier (shoulder) will make another appearance Sunday for Triple-A Sugar Land in what should be his final rehab start, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Javier only made three appearances for Houston before being placed on the injured list April 10. Houston believes this upcoming rehab start should be the 29-year-old's final one, so it seems the right-hander is close to being back with the big-league club after missing over two months of action.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Javier (shoulder) will make a fourth minor-league rehab start before returning from the 60-day injured list, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Javier made his third rehab start and second straight start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, striking out six batters over 3.1 innings while yielding three earned runs on four hits and one walk. He built up to 63 pitches (37 strikes) in the outing, so the Astros will likely want to see Javier push up his count into the 75-to-85 range in his next start, which will likely come either Sunday or Tuesday. If all goes smoothly, Javier could slot back into the Houston rotation as soon as next weekend's series in Detroit. The right-hander has been on the shelf since April 10 due to a Grade 2 shoulder strain.

Javier (shoulder) didn't make a rehab start Sunday as planned after Triple-A Sugar Land had its game against Sacramento get postponed due to rain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros haven't revealed whether Javier will merely have his next rehab start pushed back a couple of days, or if he'll instead throw a simulated game to stay on schedule with his throwing. After retiring just two of the six batters he faced in his first rehab appearance with Double-A Corpus Christi on June 3, Javier was much more effective while shifting his assignment to Sugar Land for his second start last Tuesday. In that start, Javier struck out three over three perfect innings while tossing 44 pitches (29 strikes). He'll likely need to build up his pitch count to the 70-to-80 range before the Astros bring him back from the 60-day injured list.