The Houston Astros received a string of positive updates and a boost to their pitching staff this week, activating Cristian Javier from the injured list while also watching two other key starters, Lance McCullers Jr. and Ronel Blanco, continue making steady progress through their rehab assignments.
Here are the updates on the trying-to-get-healthy Astros:
Cristian Javier Activated
Javier was officially reinstated ahead of Houston’s three-game tilt with the Tampa Bay Rays, marking his return after missing nearly three months with a Grade 2 shoulder strain.
Javier will initially work out of the bullpen as Houston eases him back into major league action, a role the Astros believe best suits both Javier’s recovery and the club’s current pitching needs, as they continue to search for bullpen help before the trade deadline.
Houston’s decision to work Javier back through the bullpen is also likely out of caution after Javier also returned earlier this year from Tommy John surgery, hoping that a relief role will allow him to regain confidence and return to ace-like form before potentially inserting him back into the rotation in the second half of the season.
His activation comes at an important time for Houston, which has spent much of the season shuffling its pitching staff due to injuries. Even if Javier is used in shorter outings for now, adding his experienced arm provides flexibility as the dog days of the season begin approaching.
Lance McCullers Jr. On Track
The Astros are also inching closer to welcoming McCullers Jr. back to the major league rotation. The veteran right-hander made a strong rehab start this week with Sugar Land, allowing one run over four innings while striking out three.
Through two rehab outings, McCullers has looked sharp, allowing just one earned run across seven innings while showing improved command after struggling with walks during the early part of the season before his injury.
Lance McCullers in his rehab start for Sugar Land:
4 IP | 4 H | 1 R | 1 ER | 1 BB | 3 K
He threw 60 pitches, 41 for strikes. He topped at 92.8 MPH with his sinker. #Astros pic.twitter.com/8oLt4b0s3q
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) July 2, 2026
Houston is expected to give the veteran righty at least one more rehab appearance before determining when he’s ready to rejoin the active roster.
McCullers’ return would provide another experienced option for a rotation that has relied heavily on younger pitchers throughout the season.
Although Houston will likely face several decisions regarding its starting five, or moving to a six-man rotation, having healthy, proven starters available is a welcome problem for a team looking to make a push for the postseason in the second half.
Ronel Blanco Making Progress
Blanco is progressing on a similar timeline to McCullers Jr. The right-hander made his third rehab appearance with Corpus Christi this week, throwing 60 pitches over 4 1/3 innings while striking out four batters. Blanco is continuing his recovery from Tommy John surgery after undergoing the procedure last season.
Like McCullers, Blanco is expected to continue building his workload over the next couple of rehab outings before becoming a realistic option to return to Houston’s rotation. The Astros would ideally like to see him reach the 70-to-80 pitch range before activating him, but his recent outings have shown encouraging signs that he’s moving in the right direction.
More Updates
The positive injury updates for Houston don’t stop with Javier, McCullers Jr. and Blanco.
Lefty reliever Bennett Sousa is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment, while Hayden Wesneski continues working his way back from Tommy John surgery, a few weeks behind Blanco’s track.
More updates on Jeremy Peña will become available as he progresses, but he has resumed baseball activities.
For a club that has battled injuries throughout the first half of the season, the positive updates signal that reinforcements are finally beginning to arrive. Javier’s activation immediately strengthens the bullpen, while the continued progress of McCullers Jr. and Blanco offers hope that Houston’s rotation could soon begin to solidify.
As long as Houston keeps receiving positive updates, the Astros could enter the second half of the season with considerably more pitching depth than they’ve had in months, a development that could prove critical as they push to get back to the postseason after missing it for the first time in eight years last season.
Main Photo Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
