Cristian Javier’s first rehab start in his return from a shoulder strain was a brief one. The Houston Astros right-hander worked two-thirds of an inning for Double-A Corpus Christi on Wednesday in his first game action in nearly two months.
Javier faced six batters in the outing, with two hits allowed, two walks and two strikeouts. He totaled 28 pitches, 16 for strikes.
Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday afternoon the hope was Javier could throw 30-40 pitches and work at least part of two innings. Javier’s exit in the first was most likely due to his pitch count rising in that inning.
Javier made three starts for Houston this season before being placed on the injured list with a Grade 2 shoulder strain. He posted a 12.54 ERA in those 9⅓ innings, exiting his third start in Colorado after one inning due to the shoulder issue.
The Astros intend to give Javier a spring training-type buildup, which usually involves at least four or five starts to build endurance.
Javier is one of three starters from Houston’s season-opening rotation on the injured list. Hunter Brown is also returning from a Grade 2 shoulder strain and scheduled to make his third rehab start Thursday in El Paso with Triple-A Sugar Land. Lance McCullers Jr. is out with shoulder inflammation.