Astros Star Pitcher To Face Red Sox In Return From Tommy John Surgery
Cristian Javier will make his season debut vs. Boston
When the Boston Red Sox kick off their road series against the Houston Astros on Monday, they’ll do so against a pitcher who hasn’t thrown a Major League pitch in over a year.
Garrett Crochet will face Cristian Javier, who’s being activated from the 60-day injured list for the Astros. He hasn’t pitched for Houston since May 21, 2024, missing more than a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery last June.
The 28-year-old righty will look to pick up where he left off, as his career was off to a good start before the injury. He was one of the better pitchers in the American League over his first five seasons, going 33-18 with a 3.59 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and 564 strikeouts in 501 innings.
Javier also flourished in the playoffs, helping the Astros win back-to-back American League pennants in 2021 and 2022. Over 43 2/3 postseason innings, he’s 6-2 with a 2.68 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP and 60 strikeouts.
Javier struggled during his rehab assignment, going 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA over five Minor League appearances. He’ll try to shake off some of that rust against the Red Sox, who swept Houston at Fenway Park during their most recent series at the beginning of the month.
Meanwhile, he’ll have little margin for error against Crochet, who’s been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season with a 13-4 record and a 2.24 ERA. The AL Cy Young candidate has won six straight starts, although he did not face the Astros two weekends ago.
Monday’s contest is a critical game for both sides, as Javier is returning in the heat of a playoff race. Houston leads the Seattle Mariners by just half a game in the AL West, while Boston is a game behind the Mariners for the top wild card spot.
First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET / 7:10 p.m. CT at Daikin Park in Houston.
