Cristian Javier

In a best-case scenario, Javier could return late in the 2025 season, one in which he will make $10 million.

With Javier's injury and José Urquidy suffering a setback, six starters on Houston's 40-man roster have substantial major-league experience.

Houston's starting pitchers ran into more injury trouble, plus notes on center fielder Jake Meyers' throwing arm.

Javier will be the sixth Houston starter to spend time on the IL this season and will join four projected starters of the team’s rotation.

Pitching coach Bill Murphy visited both pitchers in the Dominican Republic this offseason as they try to rebound from second-half struggles.

The blowout blew up Houston’s pursuit of a second consecutive World Series title while leaving a city to wonder where this all went awry.

Catcher Martín Maldonado had a surprise for Cristian Javier in Game 3, but Javier's only reaction was a dominating performance on the mound.

"I know in the regular season he was a little up and down, but now he is the real Cristian Javier," said teammate Yordan Alvarez.

Javier's outing Wednesday kept the Astros in playoff position, but more than that it offered hope he's getting back to what he once was.

Twenty hours after their worst loss of the season, the Astros grabbed their greatest win.

Also inside: Chas McCormick's early work on sliders, and a disconcerting Michael Brantley update

Also in the notes: Framber Valdez's velocity conundrum; Cristian Javier's struggles with the running game; Yordan Alvarez's neck issue.

From Luis Robert Jr. to George Kirby to Alec Bohm, here are the 10 players I think are primed for breakout seasons in 2023.

Javier was 2-0 in three postseason appearances last year with a 0.71 ERA.

Before Wednesday, America hadn't seemed to notice that the most unhittable starter in MLB this year was the Cristian Javier. Well ...

The game was so important, it overshadowed the no-hitter. And yet, facing about as much pressure as the sport can muster, they still did it.

The Phillies now face adversity, a rare occurrence during this surreal sprint toward a championship. How will they approach Games 5 and 6?

"That's the best fastball right now in baseball," said Astros catcher Christian Vázquez.