BREAKING: Astros sideline another hit face Mariners again
The Houston Astros’ already struggling starting rotation has been dealt another blow. Right-hander Cristian Javier, slated to pitch against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night, has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to “right forearm discomfort,” as reported by manager Joe Espada.
Javier (3-1, 3.89 ERA) missed his bullpen session on Sunday. Espada mentioned that Javier, who had been sidelined for three weeks previously due to a neck issue, is scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday.
The Astros are also without starter Jose Urquidy, who strained his forearm late in spring training and hasn’t pitched this season. Urquidy aggravated his injury during a rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday and will be reassessed on Tuesday.
On a positive note, the Astros saw the return of first baseman Jose Abreu on Monday after nearly a month of working on his swing at the team’s spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Abreu, 37, the 2020 American League MVP with the Chicago White Sox, was hitting .099 with one extra-base hit and three RBIs before being sent to the minors for the first time in his career. He went 1-for-3 on Monday, hitting a run-scoring single in the fifth inning of the Astros’ 3-2 loss to the AL West-leading Mariners in the opening game of a four-game series.
Espada praised Abreu’s refreshed mental state and enthusiasm, noting, “He just looks better, but for me, it’s more about how mentally fresh he looks. He seems happy and excited to be back with the team, and we’re all excited to have him back.”
Abreu shared his simplified approach to hitting: “I just need to get my hands where they need to be so I can be in the best position to strike the ball. I don’t think we need to overcomplicate things.”
The Mariners scored all three of their runs in the first inning off Framber Valdez, with starter Bryce Miller and the bullpen maintaining the lead. Miller, who had lost his previous four decisions, secured his first win since April 17 against the Cincinnati Reds.
Mariners manager Scott Servais commented on the game, “We had all kinds of traffic, and we had some good at-bats when we had traffic out there. Unfortunately, sometimes the ball doesn’t land on the grass like you want it to.”
Miller attributed his success to being aggressive early in the count and avoiding mistakes, saying, “For me, it’s just trying to make sure I’m still getting ahead, but with certain hitters in the lineup, not making a mistake. Just trying to get ahead, being aggressive on the corner early, and then working off of that.”
With a day off last Thursday, Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (1-5, 7.06 ERA) will pitch on normal rest on Tuesday. Brown didn’t get a decision in a 5-4 loss to Seattle on May 5, allowing two runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings, with four walks and five strikeouts. Brown is 0-2 with an 11.70 ERA in three career starts against the Mariners.
The Mariners will counter with ace Luis Castillo (4-6, 3.31 ERA) on Tuesday. Castillo, a right-hander, is 2-1 with a 3.81 ERA in four career starts against Houston.