SEATTLE – Not to sound cliché but the Houston Astros have got a huge problem. This week, two more pitchers suffered a season-ending injury that will leave the Astros pitching department looking for reinforcements, as José Urquidy and Cristian Javier will be out for the rest of the season with elbow ligament issues.
Both pitchers will undergo the famous Tommy John surgery to repair the damage. The procedure usually comes with a 14-18 month rehab and will put both right-handed pitchers out until at least 2025.
This is another huge blow for the Astros, who have dealt with a lot of injuries to their pitching crew. Luis García is still recovering from Tommy John surgery himself after undergoing the procedure last May. Right-handed Lance McCullers had a flexor surgery last June and remains in rehab.
With the Mexican Urquidy and the Dominican Javier expected to be out until 2025, the Astros currently count with just five pitchers available in the rotation.
Urquidy has had lots of bad luck with injuries throughout his career. This will be the second time he undergoes Tommy John surgery after suffering the same injury in 2017. He had issues with his elbow during spring training and didn’t play a single game this season.
