Ahead of his impending return to the Astros’ rotation, right-hander Cristian Javier turned in an excellent rehab start on Saturday for Triple-A Sugar Land.
Javier pitched six scoreless innings for the Space Cowboys against El Paso, the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate. He struck out four while allowing three hits and two walks in his fifth rehab start -- one with Double-A Corpus Christi and four with Sugar Land.
After struggling with his command in his previous outing last Sunday -- Javier allowed five hits, walked three batters and hit two more in 4 2/3 innings -- the righty was much sharper as he continues his recovery from a Grade 2 right shoulder strain.
Javier averaged just 91.8 mph on his four-seam fastball -- 1 mph below his 92.8 average in his three MLB starts -- and got six whiffs out of 19 swings on the pitch and five whiffs on 11 swings against his changeup. He gave up a single to Nick Schnell and a single and double to Mason McCoy, striking out two Chihuahuas hitters looking and two (including the rehabbing Jake Cronenworth) swinging.
On the IL since April 9, Javier is expected to return to Houston's rotation soon, which will be big for a team with starters Lance McCullers Jr., Ronel Blanco, Hayden Wesneski and Brandon Walter all on the shelf.