Houston Astros pitcher Cristian Javier is set to face hitters in live batting practice as part of his recovery from Tommy John surgery. This marks a significant milestone for the right-hander, who underwent the procedure over a year ago. Manager Joe Espada maintains optimism that Javier could return during the second half of the current season, which would provide a much-needed boost to a pitching staff currently hampered by injuries.

J.P. France, another right-hander recovering from shoulder surgery, is also progressing well, having recently completed his second live BP session. Meanwhile, Luis Garcia continues his recovery from surgery and is nearing a return to live hitting, as indicated by Espada. The Astros remain hopeful about these pitchers contributing as they navigate a challenging season.

J.P. France's return is on the horizon as the Houston Astros right-hander is set to face hitters during live batting practice, marking progress from his shoulder surgery. He underwent a capsule tear repair last July and had shown resilience during his previous 28 starts, where he recorded a 4.40 ERA. Other Astros pitchers such as Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia are also on the mend post-surgeries, but remain out of the batting practice phase.

Pedro León, meanwhile, faces setbacks after aggravating a knee injury while rehabbing with Triple-A Sugar Land. León, who had a brief MLB stint last season, is now back on the sidelines. Additionally, the Astros have signed veteran reliever Jordan Weems to bolster their pitching depth, after he had a lackluster season with the Nationals.

As the Houston Astros prepare for Opening Day, the pitching staff faces notable challenges with key starters Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia sidelined due to injuries. McCullers, struggling with a forearm issue since 2022, and Garcia, recovering from Tommy John surgery, are both unlikely to return until mid-July. Cristian Javier and J.P. France, also recovering from injuries, are targeting after the All-Star break for their comebacks. General Manager Dana Brown expressed optimism about their recovery progress but emphasized a cautious approach to their reintegration into the lineup.

McCullers was a critical asset during his early career, boasting a strong postseason performance in 2017. Garcia had a promising start to his career with a solid record but has faced setbacks that hindered his return last season. Despite the absence of these starters, the team can still rely on Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco, and Spencer Arrighetti to lead the rotation. Brown highlighted the depth and potential of the current lineup, asserting confidence in their abilities as they gear up for the new season.