For the first time since May 2021, the Astros are including Cristian Javier in their rotation plans as they are about to embark on a 33-game stretch in 34 days. My right knee is already aching from writing that sentence, and I don’t even want to imagine how the players feel. Considering how a shortened Spring Training has already limited availability across the league, it is no surprise to see the implementation of a six-man rotation this early in the season.
A return to the rotation for Javier has always felt inevitable, even if it is only temporary.