Cristian Javier's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (neck) played catch on Wednesday back in Houston. Javier is not with the team during their road series with the Chicago Cubs after flying back home on Tuesday to get checked out by team doctors, but it's encouraging to hear he's throwing. The 27-year-old star right-hander is working his way back from discomfort in his right neck, and it's unclear if he'll need a brief rehab assignment before being activated from the 15-day injured list. Fantasy managers should expect him to remain sidelined through early May, though. Although he has a weak 18:11 K:BB through 23 1/3 innings (four starts) for the Stros, Javier's 1.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP makes him a must-stash player. Rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti is making starts in Houston's injury-riddled rotation, but he's struggled to muster much fantasy usability to this point.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (neck) was scratched from Sunday's start earlier in the day and now will be placed on the 15-day injured list. The move to the injured list was made to "give him time," according to manager Joe Espada. It is unclear when this problem arose for Javier and hopefully it is not a long-term issue. The 27-year-old has been a bright spot for a battered Astros rotation to start the season. He has gone 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 18/11 K/BB across his first four starts. More information about the injury will surely come out over the next few days. Javier should obviously be stashed in all fantasy formats while he is sidelined.

Houston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier (neck) has been scratched from his start on Sunday versus the Washington Nationals with "neck discomfort." Right-hander Hunter Brown will start in his place. Fantasy managers will obviously want to move Javier to their benches for Sunday's action. The Astros have an off day on Monday, but it's unclear when the 27-year-old Javier will be able to make his next start. Fantasy baseball managers will want to check back later on Sunday or Monday for more details on the severity of Javier's neck injury. The Dominican hurler has been excellent in his first four starts in 2024, going 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA (3.66 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP while walking 11 and striking out 18 batters in 23 1/3 innings pitched.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier was superb during Wednesday's 8-0 rout of the Toronto Blue Jays, tossing five innings of one-hit ball with three strikeouts to record his first win of the season. Javier walked five in this one, but the free passes didn't come back to haunt him in this scoreless outing. With the effort, the 27-year-old Dominican right-hander now boasts 11 shutout frames with nine punchouts through his initial two appearances of 2024. Javier gets the Kansas City Royals and ace left-hander Cole Ragans next Tuesday for the start of a three-game series, and a pitching duel could be in store for that one. Despite being winless with a 7.20 ERA in two appearances against the Royals since 2022, Javier will still be a strong fantasy play on the road.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier yielded his worst start of the spring in Monday's 10-1 Grapefruit League loss to the Nationals. Javier pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on three hits (including a solo home run) and four walks with one strikeout. The 26-year-old is coming off of a surprisingly poor 2023 season and now has a 4.30 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 14 2/3 IP this spring. He is still a bounce-back fantasy candidate given his career track record, but hopefully, he can turn in a few more positive outings heading into the regular season.