The Houston Astros are finally beginning to see their litany of injured players get healthy and return to the MLB roster. Spencer Arrighetti is back in the Majors after missing nearly three months, while Jeremy Pena has been playing for some time.
One of the more interesting names to monitor for Houston has been Cristian Javier, and ahead of the Astros’ series finale against the Miami Marlins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic shared that Joe Espada revealed when Javier is expected to make his 2025 debut.
“Joe Espada said Cristian Javier is in a position to make his next start for the major-league team.” Rome reports, “That would be in Houston during the next homestand.”
Joe Espada said Cristian Javier is in a position to make his next start for the major-league team. That would be in Houston during the next homestand
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 6, 2025
Houston’s next homestand takes place against the red-hot Boston Red Sox. If Javier, who’s missed significant time after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024. If it’s not a Red Sox matchup, he could face the Baltimore Orioles instead.
But, regardless of who he pitches against, getting him back on a Major League mound for the first time in over a year is a great sign for the Astros. After not adding a pitcher at the deadline, despite making inquiries, the team needs Javier to make a difference.
With Arrighetti set to return to the rotation in the Marlins series finale, and Javier’s return expected during the next homestand, which begins on August 11th, the Astros are finally seeing their players get healthy.
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Before his injury in 2024, Javier had a 3.89 ERA in seven starts. In 2023, he had a 4.56 ERA in 31 starts, but in 2022, his breakout season when he helped the team pitch a no-hitter in the World Series, he had a 2.54 ERA in 148 innings pitched across 25 starts and 30 games.
Getting him back on the mound will be a huge boost to the rotation. This news comes on the heels of Arrighetti officially being activated from the injured list. The Astros might be a few days out from doing the same for Javier.
Rome’s report is a huge step in the right direction for Javier. If his final start in the minors goes well, and there aren’t any concerns, the Astros could see their postseason hero make his return to the rotation.
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