After deploying Cristian Javier behind an opener in his last outing against the Mets, the Houston Astros will have the right-hander make a traditional start in their upcoming series against the Diamondbacks.
Javier will start Friday’s series opener against Arizona at Daikin Park. Ethan Pecko and Peter Lambert are scheduled to start the final two games of the series, which concludes a stretch of 13 games with no off-day for Houston.
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Javier has a 6.45 ERA in 44 ⅔ innings this season, starting eight of his 13 appearances. He is allowing a 1.104 OPS when facing hitters for a second time in a game as a starter.
Pecko will make his fourth major-league start after recording his first career win in his last outing at Citi Field, allowing two runs over five innings. Javier, Pecko and Lambert will all pitch on five days’ rest after the Astros used Ronel Blanco for a spot start Tuesday against the White Sox.
Blanco, who remains on the roster, should be available in a relief role this weekend against Arizona, said manager Joe Espada. After Sunday, the Astros will not play more than six games in a row without an off day for the rest of the regular season.
“The off days are really going to help us reset our rotation moving forward,” Espada said. “But right now, it’s day to day.”
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This article originally published at Houston Astros’ Cristian Javier returns to starting role for series vs. Arizona Diamondbacks.
