Javier (neck) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander landed on the injured list last Sunday with neck discomfort, but it's encouraging he's back on the mound a week later. Javier will be eligible to be activated during next weekend's three game series versus the Mariners, though it remains to be seen if he's game-ready at that point.

Javier (neck) was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Javier was scheduled to start Sunday in Washington but was scratched with neck discomfort, and he'll be sidelined for at least the next couple weeks. The severity of the injury is unclear, so there's no official timeline for his return from the injured list. Houston has three scheduled off days before the end of April and can get by with a four-man rotation in the short term.

Javier was scratched from Sunday's start against the Nationals due to neck discomfort, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear when the injury first surfaced for Javier, but he won't be able to start Sunday as scheduled. Hunter Brown will be bumped up to start the series finale in Washington. The Astros have scheduled off days Monday and Friday this week, so the team can get by with four starters until May 4 versus the Mariners, if need be.

Javier (2-0) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks to earn the win Sunday over the Rangers. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Javier needed just 89 pitches to complete seven innings, throwing 62 for strikes to earn the win in his longest outing of the season. Javier's command had been a bit shaky going into Sunday's outing, walking eight batters over 10.1 innings during his previous two starts. However, he's provided a much-needed boost to the short-handed Astros rotation, allowing just four earned runs for a 1.54 ERA over his first four starts spanning 23.1 innings. He'll have a chance to improve upon those numbers even further in his next start as he's tentatively slated for a weekend matchup against the Nationals in Washington.

Javier pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out four batters in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Javier was able to extend his scoreless streak to 15 innings to open the 2024 campaign, blanking the Royals through four frames Tuesday. The right-hander ran into trouble in the bottom of the fifth inning, surrendering a two-out two-run triple to Bobby Witt before another unearned run came around to score later in the frame. Through three starts, Javier has produced a 1.10 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 13 strikeouts over 16.1 innings. He's tentatively set to return to the mound Sunday at home versus the Rangers.

Javier (1-0) earned the win over Toronto on Wednesday, allowing one hit and issuing five walks while striking out three batters over five scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

Javier threw only 51 of his 97 pitches for strikes and issued five free passes, but he kept the Blue Jays off the scoreboard by allowing just one hit. It was the second straight scoreless outing for the right-hander, who tossed six shutout frames against the Yankees in his 2024 debut March 29. Javier isn't likely to have this level of success with such poor control often, but he's getting the job done so far this season after struggling to a career-worst 4.56 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 31 starts last year.

Javier allowed four hits and a walk over six shutout innings during Friday's loss to the Yankees. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

The Yankees only managed to put two runners in scoring position against Javier and he had no trouble working through it. The 27-year-old threw 56 of 90 pitches for strikes, though he only forced eight whiffs. Still, it was an impressive outing against a strong Yankees lineup after Javier posted a 4.56 ERA across 162 innings in 2023. He's currently lined up to face the Blue Jays at home next week.

Javier will start the second game of the regular season against the Yankees, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Justin Verlander (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, forcing each of Houston's pitchers to move one slot up in the rotation. That leaves Framber Valdez in line to start Opening Day with Javier to follow one game later. Javier will be looking to bounce back from a subpar 2023 campaign during which he posted a 4.56 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 162 innings.

Javier allowed two stolen bases and was slow to the plate during his Grapefruit League outing Saturday against the Cardinals, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Javier pitched well in some regards, as he didn't allow a hit while striking out three and walking two across three scoreless innings of work. However, manager Joe Espada has prioritized limiting stolen bases this spring, which Javier struggled to do last season when he surrendered 22 swiped bags. If he continues to struggle in that area, opposing teams could get even more aggressive on the basepaths in 2024.

Javier told reporters Thursday that he lost 15 pounds over the offseason, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Javier believes the added weight last season contributed to his mechanical issues and inconsistency. His ERA went from 2.54 to 4.56 and strikeout rate from 33.2 percent to 23.1 percent year-over-year. Javier hopes that by trimming down over the winter he can better lock in his mechanics and get back to what made him a breakout performer in 2022.