Cristian Javier is a starting pitcher of the major league caliber. The right-hander was thrown into the Astros rotation as a rookie in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.
To accommodate Framber Valdez’s return in late May, the team shifted him out of the rotation with a 3.14 ERA in 48 2/3 innings of work.
Javier has a 3.35 ERA in 164 innings so far in his career. He can mix in a curveball and a changeup against left-handed batters to complement his “invisiball” four-seam fastball.
He also throws a sweeping slider to complement the slider. However, Javier has only ever pitched in relief after May 28, 2021.
He’s 25 years old and, barring a promotion to Triple-A, will be a free agent following this season. The Astros may argue that they haven’t gotten the most out of him thus far.
That may be about to change, however. For Wednesday’s game against the Rangers at Globe Life Field, the Astros have shifted Javier back into a starting role.
A six-man rotation is more appealing during a stretch like the one that began Friday when the team will play 33 games in 34 days.
Because of the lockout-shortened spring training, starting pitchers aren’t as prepared as they normally would be in late April.
What Is Cristian Javier Nationality?
Cristian Javier is Dominican. He was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.