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Astros’ Cristian Javier placed on 15-day IL with ‘right forearm discomfort’

Theo

SEATTLE — The Houston Astros placed starter Cristian Javier on injured reserve Monday with what they described as “right forearm discomfort,” adding even more adversity to an already overwhelmed rotation.

Javier did not cancel his scheduled session Sunday morning, after which manager Joe Espada revealed the right-hander’s discomfort. Javier spent 18 days on the injured list last month with what the team described as “neck discomfort.”

After being removed from the injured list, Javier allowed 11 earned runs in 11 1/3 innings. The velocity on all his pitches dropped in his last start against the Los Angeles Angels, but Javier and Espada maintained he was healthy.

Javier joins compatriot José Urquidy on the injured list with a forearm-related problem. Urquidy sprained his forearm during the final two weeks of spring training and aggravated the injury during a minor league rehab start Friday.

On Sunday, general manager Dana Brown told the team’s pregame radio show that Urquidy would be evaluated by team doctors on Tuesday. Without Javier or Urquidy, the Astros have six starters with solid major league experience on their 40-man roster.

One of them, left-hander Eric Lauer, signed a minor league contract last week and made one appearance with the organization. Another is Spencer Arrighetti, the team’s best pitcher who has never thrown more than 124 2/3 innings in a professional season.

Because Houston had a day off on Thursday, they were able to increase each member of their rotation by a normal day off. Hunter Brown will start Tuesday’s game against the Seattle Mariners in place of Javier. Justin Verlander will pitch on Wednesday while Arrighetti will pitch on Thursday.

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(Photo: Logan Riely/Getty Images)

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