2 min read • June 07, 2024
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Houston Astros ace Cristian Javier will miss the rest of the 2024 season due to undergoing Tommy John surgery. His last start was on May 21, after which he was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm discomfort.
Discomfort in the forearm is often a precursor to more serious issues for pitchers, and in many cases, it leads to Tommy John surgery if recovery does not progress well. Unfortunately, this is the situation for Javier, who now faces a lengthy rehabilitation process and is not expected to return until late in the 2025 season.
The Astros' pitching staff has been in shambles for the majority of the season, and Javier's absence only exacerbates their problems. They are already without key pitchers Luis Garcia, Lance McCullers, and Jose Urquidy, all sidelined due to various surgeries. Garcia, like Javier, underwent Tommy John surgery, while McCullers and Urquidy are recovering from elbow surgeries.
This string of injuries has severely depleted the Astros' rotation depth, leaving them scrambling to find reliable arms to fill the void.
As the Astros move forward with an extremely thin rotation, their chances of competing at a high level have significantly diminished. The team will likely struggle to maintain consistency on the mound, impacting their overall performance.
The loss of Javier, combined with the prolonged absences of other key pitchers, places immense pressure on the remaining staff and the front office to find solutions. Without their ace and other crucial starters, the Astros face an uphill battle for the remainder of the 2024 season.
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