Javier anchors Houston’s rotation as France returns and the staff negotiates workload. His ongoing performance and role clarity influence how aggressively Houston leverages depth arms, with fantasy implications tied to a stable, productive sequence and innings.

Cristian Javier’s return from Tommy John showed promise with velocity near his peak and the debuting sinker suggesting regained impact. However, a subsequent outing featured reduced velocity and illness, clouding the true health signal. If he maintains 93+ mph velocity and reclaims movement, Javier could anchor fantasy stashes for the stretch run, especially in deeper leagues.

Javier left a recent start due to illness but rejoined the Astros; his next turn is undecided, keeping Houston's rotation in flux as they navigate a heavy schedule and McCullers' return. Javier's health and availability will influence how Houston sequences its starters on the Baltimore trip.

Javier returns from the injured list and carried one run allowed in three innings in his latest start, a sign of his improving health. Houston’s rotation will lean on him to stabilize, while the bullpen’s burst or collapse can swing a blowout and alter late-game decisions.

Javier returned with a solid five-inning start and a favorable ceiling in a rest-of-season stretch. Not the pure ceiling of Bieber, but he’s a strong two-start play with strikeouts and a chance to fuel a run of good starts, albeit with some volatility around pace and depth of the arsenal.