The Houston Astros have hit a rough patch with their pitching staff as right-handers Cristian Javier and José Urquidy brace for surgeries that will put them out for the remainder of the 2024 season. FOX 26 Houston reported that Astros General Manager Dana Brown disclosed the news, pinning the dates for the impending procedures on Wednesday for Urquidy and Thursday for Javier.
Javier's elbow issues come on the heels of an already tumultuous season, marked by a neck injury and an alarmingly disappointing performance on May 11, where he relinquished seven runs to the Detroit Tigers, including a grand slam, in just over an inning. Plagued with persistent right forearm pain, the 27-year-old was placed on the injured list, unable to complete a scheduled bullpen session leading up to the latest medical verdict. Scheduled to go under the knife for the second time this season, Urquidy and Javier had reportedly sought a second opinion about their conditions earlier in the week.
Confirmation of these surgeries was relayed via X, a platform for breaking news and up-to-the-minute updates, by the Astros organization. ABC13 reported the need for Javier’s Tommy John surgery, an operation designed to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm – a surgery synonymous with lengthy recovery times for throwers.
RHP Cristian Javier and RHP José Urquidy scheduled to undergo elbow surgery. pic.twitter.com/l2j8NRGYoo
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 5, 2024
As for Urquidy, the start of his 2024 season never materialized off the injured list. It was originally earmarked to start the season. Now facing an elbow surgery of his own, an air of uncertainty looms over the future composition and fortitude of the Astros' pitching roster. While the full impact of these losses will unfold as the season progresses, the Astros will undoubtedly feel the absence of two key arms in their rotation.
