SEATTLE - Not to sound cliché but the Houston Astros have got a huge problem. This week, two more pitchers suffered a season-ending injury that will leave the Astros pitching department looking for reinforcements, as José Urquidy and Cristian Javier will be out for the rest of the season with elbow ligament issues.
Both pitchers will undergo the famous Tommy John surgery to repair the damage. The procedure usually comes with a 14-18 month rehab and will put both right-handed pitchers out until at least 2025.
This is another huge blow for the Astros, who have dealt with a lot of injuries to their pitching crew. Luis García is still recovering from Tommy John surgery himself after undergoing the procedure last May. Right-handed Lance McCullers had a flexor surgery last June and remains in rehab.
With the Mexican Urquidy and the Dominican Javier expected to be out until 2025, the Astros currently count with just five pitchers available in the rotation.
Houston Astros depth chart
- Justin Verlander
- Framber Valdéz
- Cristian Javier (out with Tommy John surgery)
- Lance McCullers Jr. (out with flexor surgery)
- José Urquidy (out with Tommy John surgery)
- Luis Garcia (out with Tommy John surgery)
- Ronel Blanco
- Hunter Brown
- J.P. France (on Triple-A injured list with shoulder issue)
- Spencer Arrighetti
Urquidy has had lots of bad luck with injuries throughout his career. This will be the second time he undergoes Tommy John surgery after suffering the same injury in 2017. He had issues with his elbow during spring training and didn't play a single game this season.
Javier, a 27-year-old right-handed pitcher, played in seven games for the Astros this season. He was part of the combined no-hitter in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series but, after dealing with several injuries, he hasn't been the same since then.
With so many injuries, Astros General Manager Dana Brown said earlier this week that the team will be looking to add talent at the trade deadline, with a starting pitcher being a priority at this point.
Despite the numerous injuries, the Astros are still hanging around for a possible playoff berth. They are seven games below .500 with a record of 28-35. Houston hasn't missed the playoffs since 2016, the second-longest active streak in MLB only behind the Dodgers' 11 seasons.
According to FanGraphs, the Astros remain as a solid candidate to make the playoffs this year even though they sit seven games behind AL West leaders Seattle Mariners. FanGraphs gives Houston a 39% chance of making the playoffs this year, placing them ahead of the reigning champions Texas Rangers.
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