Astros Stash Cristian Javier on IL, Call Up 29-Year-Old Rookie Josh Hendrickson

The Houston Astros are making late-September roster moves that scream they are just trying to survive until October. According to MLB Trade Rumors, the team officially placed starting pitcher Cristian Javier on the injured list and selected the contract of minor-league journeyman Josh Hendrickson.

Javier left his September 22 start against the Seattle Mariners after just two innings with right groin tightness. Initial team updates suggested he might try to make his next start, but Houston's front office clearly looked at the calendar and decided not to play games with their rotation depth.

"MLB Trade Rumors reported the transaction on X, noting the Astros selected Hendrickson and placed Javier on the IL."

To fill the void, the Astros are turning to Hendrickson, a 29-year-old, 6-foot-4 lefty who has been grinding away for the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys. He was originally a 38th-round draft pick back in 2019 and has spent time pitching in Australia just to keep his professional baseball dream alive.

Calling up a 29-year-old rookie in the final week of the season is the baseball equivalent of finding a spare tire in a ditch and hoping it gets you to the mechanic. The Astros just dropped three straight games to the Atlanta Braves before bouncing back to shut out the Mariners 7-0, so their team momentum is currently a total coin flip.

Bettors looking at Houston's upcoming weekend series against the Oakland Athletics need to factor in this rotation shuffle. If Hendrickson sees the mound in a spot start or long relief, you are putting your money on a guy whose last major pressure situation was in the Pacific Coast League.

Houston finishes up in Seattle before heading to Oakland to close out the week. Javier's groin issue is now a massive question mark for the postseason roster, leaving the Astros crossing their fingers that their makeshift pitching staff holds together for one more week.