The Houston Astros have lost two more starting pitchers to season-ending elbow surgery. The Astros announced on Wednesday that right-handers Cristian Javier and José Urquidy are both set to undergo Tommy John surgery. Urquidy will have his second Tommy John surgery Wednesday while Javier’s procedure is scheduled for Thursday. It’s a brutal blow to an Astros team who have been struggling after a terrible start to the season.
RHP Cristian Javier and RHP José Urquidy scheduled to undergo elbow surgery. pic.twitter.com/l2j8NRGYoo
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 5, 2024
Cristian Javier, José Urquidy to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
This is just the latest blow to an Astros rotation that has already been crippled by injuries this season. Starters Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. both underwent season-ending arm surgery last season and are not expected back until the All-Star break. Astros ace Justin Verlander and left-hander Framber Valdez have also spent time on the Astros injured list this season.
Urquidy missed three months last season with a shoulder injury and has been sidelined with forearm discomfort since March. The 29-year-old was expected to return to the Astros rotation after making his third rehab start on May 24. He threw 56 pitches before leaving the game after flexing his hand and fingers after throwing a pitch.
Javier was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 24, with a right forearm injury. This was the second stint on the injured list this season after neck discomfort sidelined the right-hander in late April. He returned to the injured list after his velocity “plummeted” in his last outing on May 21. Injuries aside, Javier has pitched rather well, posting a 3.89 ERA over 34 2/3 innings of work.
A Tough Loss for Houston
Both Javier and Urquidy met with renowned surgeon Dr. Keith Meister who recommended the two teammates undergo Tommy John surgery. This will be Urquidy’s second elbow reconstruction after undergoing Tommy John surgery for the first time back in 2017.
The Astros enter play Wednesday with a 28-34 record and sit seven games back in the AL West. Though the Astros have been trending up going 15-10 in their last 25 games. Houston’s starting rotation carries a 4.71 ERA into Wednesday’s contest, the fourth worst in the majors.
Astros general manager Dana Brown said earlier this week that the team would be buyers at this year’s trade deadline. With two key starters sidelined until 2025, a starting pitcher will likely be a priority for an Astros team trying to get back to the postseason.
Since the Astros were using a six-man rotation before Javier’s injury, they still have five starters on the active roster. Ronel Blanco will draw the start for the Astros on Wednesday, but they have not announced their starters for this weekend’s series against the Los Angeles Angels.
Main Photo: © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
