Astros’ Cristian Javier to undergo Tommy John surgery: Source

HOUSTON — Astros starter Cristian Javier will undergo Tommy John surgery on Thursday, a league source said Tuesday, dealing a crippling blow to a Houston rotation that has absorbed too many.

Javier sought the advice of renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister, who recommended reconstructive surgery which typically requires 12 to 14 months of recovery.

Best case scenario, Javier could return at the end of the 2025 season, during which he would earn $10 million. Javier posted a 3.89 ERA in seven starts this season.

He had to be placed on the 15-day injured list on April 18 with what the team described as “neck discomfort”, but only missed 18 days.

In three starts upon his return, Javier allowed 11 earned runs in 11 1/3 innings. The velocity on his throws dropped during his last outing on May 21. Three days later, Houston placed him on injured reserve with what he described as “right forearm discomfort.”

Last spring, Javier signed a five-year extension worth $64 million that ties him to the Astros through the 2027 season. The deal will pay Javier $21 million for each of the 2026 and 2027 seasons. .

First-year general manager Dana Brown engineered the extension after Javier became one of baseball’s most untouchable — and unflappable — starters in 2022. He sported a 2.54 ERA and 0 WHIP .94 while allowing 5.4 hits per nine innings in 30 appearances.

Javier has started two combined no-hitters during the 2022 season: one at Yankee Stadium and another in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series.

Regression found Javier during the 2023 season, in which he threw a career-high 162 innings and admitted to throwing slightly overweight. Javier lost 15 pounds this winter in hopes of returning to his 2022 form. Instead, his season is over after seven starts.

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(Photo: Troy Taormina / USA Today)