Astros Make Tough Roster Call Following Blue Jays Trade
The Houston Astros were forced to make a difficult roster decision following a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, and it came at the expense of pitcher Cristian Javier. Nearly a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Javier’s road to recovery remains ongoing, and now, his absence is being felt even more.
On Wednesday, the Astros officially moved Javier to the 60-day injured list to open up a roster spot, a move that signals both his delayed return and Houston’s need for immediate reinforcements. The decision paved the way for the team to acquire reliever Nick Robertson from the Blue Jays in exchange for prospect Edinson Batista, per Jake Elman of Athlon Sports.
Robertson, originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB Draft, brings some experience but has yet to establish himself as a dominant force on the mound. With a career ERA of 5.30 across 40 games, he has recorded 40 strikeouts and has bounced between teams, including stints with the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, before landing in Toronto.
Javier, on the other hand, has been a staple in Houston’s rotation since making his MLB debut in 2020. Over his career, he has posted an impressive 33-18 record with 564 strikeouts and a solid 3.59 ERA. Before his season-ending injury in 2024, he was off to a promising start, going 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA in just seven games. His absence leaves a significant void in the Astros’ pitching staff, making this roster shuffle even more significant.
Houston’s decision to place Javier on the injured list underscores the difficult balancing act the team faces as they attempt to remain competitive while dealing with key injuries. With hopes of his return before the All-Star break, the Astros will need to rely on their bullpen depth—now including Robertson—to hold things together until their star pitcher is ready to make his comeback.
While Robertson may not be the most high-profile addition, Houston is clearly in a position where every bit of pitching help matters. As they navigate the season with an eye toward October, all eyes will be on whether this trade helps stabilize their bullpen—or if Javier’s absence continues to loom large.