TORONTO -- The tests to the Astros’ pitching depth keep on coming.
The club announced on Tuesday that right-hander J.P. France will miss the rest of the season following Monday’s surgery to repair a torn right shoulder capsule.
France has dealt with shoulder issues since the offseason, as inflammation caused him to come into the Astros’ spring camp about 10 days behind schedule. The 29-year-old opened the season in Houston’s rotation, but after recording a 7.46 ERA over his first five starts, France was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land.
France made one start with the Space Cowboys before landing on the seven-day injured list and was shut down on April 30.
“I actually sent him a text today,” manager Joe Espada said ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. “… I'm thinking about him while he recovers. It's important that we don't forget what these guys mean for this organization, and [we wish] for a speedy recovery, so he can get back on the field as soon as he can.”
This is another tough blow for the Astros, who have turned to their Minor League system more than once for pitching help as injuries mounted early in the season. Houston is currently without Justin Verlander (neck), Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) and Luis Garcia (elbow). All are on the IL, but expected to return this season.
Right-handers José Urquidy and Cristian Javier underwent Tommy John surgery in June and will not return until 2025.
In their absence, Houston has gotten solid contributions from Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti. Righty Jake Bloss, who skipped Triple-A to make his Major League debut on June 21, is likely to return for the Astros’ homestand beginning on July 9. He made just one start before landing on the 15-day IL with right shoulder discomfort.
“We have shown that we have the depth in the Minor Leagues to [maintain success],” Espada said. “So we have to embrace those guys when they get up here to the big leagues. The veteran players do a great job embracing, taking some of that pressure away from those guys. But we need more.”
France’s premature end to the season follows a solid rookie campaign in which he went 11-6 with a 3.83 ERA in 136 1/3 innings with the big league club.