Astros make 'surprising' bullpen move with $64 million World Series champion

The Houston Astros are in the middle of a division race in the AL West. 

Before their weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays, they've announced a notable role change for a right-handed starting pitcher. 

"In a somewhat surprising move given his salary and starting pitching pedigree, Cristian Javier will re-join the Houston Astros this weekend as a reliever, ending his circuitous three-month recovery from a right shoulder strain," The Athletic's Chandler Rome wrote Wednesday. 

Javier will be activated off the IL on Friday. He made five rehab starts and allowed eight earned runs in 17.2 innings. He is in the fourth year of a five-year, $64 million contract. 

“He’s not starting in the bullpen because of his performance in the minor leagues,” Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters, including Rome, on Wednesday. “Right now, the way we’re lining things up, that’s what’s best for our team and best for Javi. And it could change. But right now, that’s the decision that we made.” 

Javier was one of the key pieces of Houston's 2022 World Series championship roster. 

Since then, he's made just 49 starts due to injuries. Thirty-one of those appearances were in 2023. 

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"Javier has pitched just 243 major-league innings in the four seasons since signing his extension, which doubled as the first meaningful move of Dana Brown’s four-year tenure as Houston’s general manager," Rome added. "Javier underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024 and, this season, injured his shoulder after just three starts." 

This plan could help preserve Javier's arm throughout the remainder of the season. The initial results will give the Astros a better idea of whether he can thrive in his new role. 

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