In a blow to the Houston Astros, right-hander Cristian Javier has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Nationals due to injury. Astros manager Joe Espada announced that Javier would be placed on the injured list, with the goal being to give him time to recover. This suggests a potentially short absence for the talented pitcher.

Javier, 27, has been a bright spot for the struggling Astros in the early stages of the 2024 season. In his four starts, he has showcased his dominance, boasting an impressive 1.54 ERA and a 3.66 FIP over 23 1/3 innings of work. However, despite his stellar performance, Javier will now have to take a seat for at least 15 days.

The news of Javier's injury comes at a challenging time for the Astros. The team recently welcomed back veteran ace Justin Verlander from the injured list, but now Javier joins a growing list of sidelined pitchers. Framber Valdez, Jose Urquidy, Luis Garcia, and Lance McCullers Jr. are all currently dealing with injuries, with Valdez being the closest to a return.

Valdez, who has been out with elbow soreness, may potentially rejoin the rotation this week to pitch alongside Verlander and J.P. France against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. If Valdez is not quite ready to be activated, the Astros could turn to rookie Spencer Arrighetti to make a start.

Arrighetti, who made his MLB debut earlier this season, struggled in his first two starts, allowing nine runs on 11 hits and five walks in just seven innings of work. However, the 24-year-old did manage to record eight strikeouts. If not needed as a starter, Arrighetti could provide much-needed support to the Astros' bullpen, which currently boasts a concerning 5.29 ERA, second-worst among American League teams.

With upcoming off-days on Monday and Friday, the Astros have some flexibility as they navigate their pitching staff. The hope is that Valdez's potential return will help ease the burden caused by Javier's absence. In the meantime, the team will rely on Hunter Brown to step up and fill the void as he takes the ball against the Nationals this afternoon.

As the Astros continue to grapple with injuries to key pitchers, they will need to lean on their depth and adapt to keep their season on track. The Astros currently sit at a disappointing 7-15 record but will look to turn the tide with a resilient mindset and contributions from their remaining healthy pitchers.