Houston Astros lose another starting pitcher for the entire season

Right now, the Houston Astros are playing their best baseball of the season.

They’ve won seven in a row and are .500 for the first time all year.

The timing couldn’t have been better, with the upcoming trade deadline approaching. General manager Dana Brown insisted the team would turn things around and not become sellers, and for now, it appears he won’t have to make a tough decision.

The way the Astros win games is nothing short of impressive.

Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy are on the long-term injured list with season-ending injuries. Justin Verlander and Jake Bloss are on the short-term IL and return to the mound. Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. are still on the injured list following their past surgeries that kept them both out for most of 2023.

Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown and Spencer Arrighetti have been the three constant options in their rotation, supported by an offensive unit that has found its rhythm and is starting to bludgeon opposing staffs as usual.

But even when things are going well for Houston, they can’t escape the bad news.

Klutch Sports Group Agent Nate Heisler announced that his client JP France will undergo end-of-season shoulder surgery.

France suffered a “setback” in trying to return. He has been sidelined since May 7, when the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate placed him on their injured list.

As of right now, it’s not a major loss for Houston, as they optioned him to the minors in late April after a poor start to the year.

However, with all the injury issues that plagued this team throughout the season, there was a good chance he would be able to get back into the mix if he had performed well in Triple-A.

Unfortunately, France won’t get that opportunity as his shoulder injury has progressed to the point where he has to have surgery and miss the rest of 2024.