Cristian Javier, Jose Urquidy Expected To Be Ready Next July
Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said on Thursday that right-handers Cristian Javier (elbow) and Jose Urquidy (elbow) are both projected to return at the end of July in 2025, "hopefully earlier." Javier and Urquidy both had Tommy John surgery in June of this year, so they will most likely miss all of the first half of next season as they recover. Javier is the more attractive fantasy option, but neither pitcher is going to be able to make any kind of impact until after the All-Star break, and even then, they'll both be risky coming of TJ surgery. The 27-year-old Javier only made seven starts for Houston in 2024, going 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 27 K's and 19 walks in 34 2/3 innings. Urquidy was unable to pitch at all in the big leagues in 2024, and he only appeared in 16 (10 starts) games in 2023 due to injuries as well.
Jose Urquidy Could Be Headed For Another Tommy John Surgery
Houston Astros starting pitcher Jose Urquidy (forearm), who was recently pulled from his minor-league rehab start, will soon visit with Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas and could be headed for the second Tommy John surgery of his career, according to sources. Urquidy is having a second opinion on his injured right forearm after already consulting with a specialist after he was pulled from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land late last month. The 29-year-old veteran was shut down in mid-March in spring training with a right-forearm strain and has yet to pitch at all in 2024 for Houston. Urquidy also missed a big chunk of time in 2023 and could be on his way to missing the entire 2024 campaign. The upside was very limited to begin with for Urquidy, and now it looks like he may not be back until around midseason in 2025.
Cristian Javier, Jose Urquidy Getting Second Opinions
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday that both starting pitchers Cristian Javier (forearm) and Jose Urquidy (forearm) are "getting opinions from other doctors." Espada said earlier this week that both pitchers were examined by doctors on Monday, but their imaging results haven't been disclosed. Javier was unable to throw a scheduled bullpen session on Sunday due to right forearm discomfort, and he was then placed on the injured list for the second time this season. Urquidy, on the other hand, has missed the entire season with a right forearm strain and was close to rejoining Houston's rotation before suffering a setback during a minor-league rehab assignment. This could lead to a pretty significant development for the two hurlers, who both currently have no clear timetable for a return to the Astros. Although Urquidy isn't a must-stash fantasy player, we'd recommend holding onto Javier until more is known.
Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (forearm) will be re-evaluated by team physicians on Tuesday. Urquidy was removed from his rehab start early on Friday due to forearm discomfort. The 29-year-old appeared to be very close to re-joining the Astros starting rotation, but that is now in serious doubt. Urquidy has struggled with injuries for the better part of two seasons as he only managed to make 10 starts in 2023 and has yet to appear in the majors in 2024. More information about the extent of the injury will be available after Tuesday's evaluation.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Jose Urquidy (forearm) exited his rehab start early on Friday. Urquidy had thrown just 56 pitches in his start. Urquidy attempted a warmup pitch, lobbed it in and then walked off the mound. He was also seen flexing his hand and fingers before the trainers visited him. This is a bad sign for the right-hander who was very close to rejoining an Astros rotation that's desperately needing help. Urquidy has also been battling injuries for much of the past two seasons and missed the majority of the 2023 season. Fantasy managers should stand pat on Urquidy's status and hope for the best when doctor's evaluate his arm. Regardless, it doesn't seem like the right-hander will be joining the Astros' rotation any time soon.
Jose Urquidy To Make Another Rehab Start On Friday
Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (forearm) will make his next minor-league rehab start on Friday at Triple-A Sugar Land and he's set to throw around 70 to 75 pitches, according to manager Joe Espada. The Astros are slow-playing a pitcher that missed a big chunk of the 2023 campaign with an arm injury. Urquidy is now recovering from a right-forearm injury but is on the cusp of making his 2024 debut. The 29-year-old Mexican hurler reached 59 pitches in his last rehab outing on Saturday and should be cleared to join the Astros' starting rotation if he gets out of this weekend's outing without any setbacks. Given all the injuries to Houston's rotation this year, Urquidy's return will be a welcomed sight. Urquidy had a career-worst 5.29 ERA in 63 innings in 2023 and holds a subpar 19.6% strikeout rate in five big-league seasons, but he'll be in play as a matchup-based streamer in deeper fantasy leagues when he's back in the fold.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Jose Urquidy (forearm) made his second minor league rehab start on Saturday. The right-hander got smacked around for three runs in 2 2/3 innings during his start last weekend. He didn't do much better this time around allowing four runs on seven hits over four innings of work. The good news is that Urquidy feels better and says his velocity should increase during his next start. The right-hander should be able to return to the Astros rotation in late May or early June.
Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (forearm) allowed three runs on three hits while striking out three in 2 2/3 innings in his first minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday. Urquidy threw 28 of his 46 pitches for strikes and will make another rehab start this Saturday with Double-A Corpus Christi, where he's expected to throw 70 pitches. "When I finished the game, I didn't feel anything bad," said Urquidy, who was topping out at 90-93 mph. "I wasn't thinking to not put too much stress on my arm, but I think I've got more than that. I think next outing, I'm going to have more velocity for sure." The Mexican hurler went 3-3 with a 5.29 ERA in 16 games (10 starts) in 2023 and spent three months on the injured list with right-shoulder discomfort. Given all the injuries to Houston's rotation early this year, Urquidy figures to have a spot waiting for him when he's healthy enough to return.
Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (forearm) is scheduled to make his first minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday. Manager Joe Espada said the plan is for Urquidy to go around four innings or 60 to 65 pitches. Urquidy is finally ready to start pitching in games again after being out since the middle of March in spring training with a right-forearm strain. Given how long the 29-year-old has been out, we should expect him to make multiple rehab outings in the minors before the Astros even consider activating him from the injured list. Urquidy, who missed a large chunk of last season as well due to injury, won't even be guaranteed a starting rotation spot when he's cleared to rejoin the big-league club.
Jose Urquidy To Begin Rehab Assignment This Weekend
Houston Astros starting pitcher Jose Urquidy (forearm) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land this weekend. The right-hander has been sidelined since spring training due to inflammation in his forearm. The expectation is that Urquidy is going to need a few rehab starts before rejoining the Astros rotation. Possibly, Urquidy is able to rejoin the Astros rotation by the end of May. Fantasy managers will have to stay tuned for more updates over the next week or two.
Cristian Javier
• SP
•
Astros
|
