The Houston Astros took a tough hit on Sunday. Starting pitcher Cristian Javier had to leave the game early because he got sick during a rough 12-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
This was only his second start since coming back from a long Tommy John surgery recovery. It’s a setback, especially since his return had looked promising just a week ago.
With Houston already dealing with a tough season, Javier’s sudden exit just piled on more worries about their pitching depth.
Cristian Javier’s Early Exit Against the Orioles
Javier looked sharp at first, giving up only three hits and one run through three innings. He struck out two.
But then, according to Astros manager Joe Espada, Javier told the dugout he wasn’t feeling well and got pulled out as a precaution. The team said it was illness-related but didn’t give more details.
Shawn Dubin came in for the fourth inning, kicking off a bullpen shuffle that ended up using five pitchers. In a bit of a surprise, outfielder Chas McCormick pitched a scoreless ninth—his second time on the mound this week.
A Setback in Javier’s Comeback Journey
This was just Javier’s second start since a 14-month rehab after Tommy John surgery. That’s a long road for any pitcher.
Last Monday against Boston, he’d looked great—three hits, two runs, five strikeouts in five innings, and he got the win.
Impact on the Astros’ Rotation
Losing starters is brutal for any team, but Houston’s timing couldn’t be worse. Their arms are already stretched thin, so Javier’s early exit forced the bullpen to cover six innings.
That’s a lot to ask in the middle of a packed schedule. The relievers’ heavy workload could be a problem heading into the next series. Overuse leads to tired arms and shaky outings fast.
McCormick taking the mound might’ve been funny if the day hadn’t already gone sideways. It really showed how desperate things got.
Signs of Potential Resilience
Even in a blowout, there were a couple of bright spots. McCormick’s clean inning kept the score from getting uglier, and Javier looked decent before getting sick.
If his illness is minor, maybe Houston dodged a bullet and can get him back soon.
The next few days should bring more clarity once the team gets Javier’s medical update. Joe Espada sounded cautiously optimistic, mentioning how sharp Javier looked early, but he stressed that player health comes first.
Looking Ahead
As the season rolls on, Javier’s status is going to be a major storyline. If he’s healthy, he could really help stabilize the Astros’ rotation—he’s proven he can deliver in big moments.
If he ends up missing more time, Houston might have to reshuffle the rotation or call up someone from the minors. Either way, they’ll need to manage things carefully to keep the bullpen from burning out and the pitching staff from losing its rhythm.
Key Takeaways from Sunday’s Loss
Astros fans are left waiting for any news about Javier. These are the moments that really stretch a team’s depth and resilience—Houston’s going to need plenty of both to get through this grind.
Here is the source article for this story: Astros’ Javier exits after three IP with illness
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