The Houston Astros can't get a break as more key players join the medical bay.
Formidable pitcher Cristian Javier is confirmed to miss at least two weeks after he was placed on the injured list due to forearm discomfort.
"Houston right-handers Cristian Javier and José Urquidy will both undergo MRIs after each experienced discomfort in their forearms," the Associated Press reported.
"Javier was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday, while Urquidy was pulled early from his rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land last Friday. Houston manager Joe Espada said before Monday's series opener in Seattle that both pitchers would have MRIs on Tuesday."
This is the second time Javier was put on the injured list.
He currently has a record of 3-1 with 3.89 ERA and 1.41 WHIP.
As of this writing, the Astros are 24-29 and are facing the Seattle Mariners at the T-Mobile Park for a four-game series.
They recently suffered a series loss to the American League's second-worst team, the Los Angeles Angels.
Javier and Urquidy join a long list of injured players on the Astros roster.
They already have six players on 60-day IL, many of them part of the 2022 World Series-winning team.
The list is led by Kendall Graveman, who has been on it since March and underwent surgery for his injured right shoulder.
Other guys on the list are Bennett Sousa (out since April 7), Oliver Ortega (April 9), Lance McCullers Jr. (May 5), Penn Murfee (May 6), and Luis Garcia (May 19).
RHP Alex Speas from Sugar Land is called up for the spots that Javier vacated.
The effect of injuries is felt not just on the field but also in the locker room.
Multiple sources claimed in mid-May that tensions between first-year coach Joe Espada and some players were caused by the manager's communication skills.
Struggling Jose Abreu gets chance to prove himself
The Astros are becoming desperate with all the injuries they're dealing with.
The team decided to call back Jose Abreu, who was recently demoted to the rookie-level Florida Complex League.
His designation there happened in late April when he batted .099/.156/.113 in the first 22 games of the season.
He had just one extra-base hit and posted 18 strikeouts.
He is hoping to be sharper after spending some time down there.
"The games sped up on you too much and sometimes it's tough to see where you're at. I saw videos and everything, but I didn't see it," he told reporters.
"But now, (hitting coach Alex Cintrón), [retired outfielder Michael] Brantley, [advisor and Hall of Famer Jeff] Bagwell, Rene [Rojas, assistant hitting coordinator], we all have a good group and we found it. I hope I can show it right away, but it's baseball and it's a process. Hopefully I can get there."
He is scheduled to play first base and the eighth to bat in the series opener against the Mariners.
Manager Joe Espada hopes he will fare better this time and, eventually, save his job.
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