Cristian Javier injury is another blow to Astros pitching staff already running on empty

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier has suffered a groin injury, adding strain to the team's pitching staff during their playoff push. The setback occurred after Javier started against the Seattle Mariners on September 22, 2026, at T-Mobile Park.

The injury comes as Javier was showing improvement following an August stretch where he went 0-4 with a 6.45 ERA entering September. In his first three September outings against Arizona, Philadelphia, and Kansas City, Javier had demonstrated improved command and allowed only four earned runs across 16.1 innings.