The Astros have been bitten hard by the injury bug. Composite Getty Image.
As Houston Astros fans wait to hear an update about the health of Jose Urquidy and Cristian Javier, we're left wondering why the team is so secretive about their injuries?
It's not as if there's some competitive advantage in withholding the information, like in football or hockey, when players can target the injured area and try to make it worse.
Typically, teams give reporters an update on what part of the body is injured, and/or when they expect them to return. This is certainly not the case with the Astros, you're lucky to hear something like, “arm discomfort.”
In the case of Jose Urquidy, we've seen reports that he's seeking a second opinion and Tommy John Surgery is on the table. But the Astros aren't yet willing to say his season may be over.
With Cristian Javier, we still don't have any concrete information on the injury, and we're approaching almost two weeks with no update.
So why the secrecy? And what will the loss of both Urquidy and Javier mean for the 2024 Astros if they are indeed done for the season?
Editor's note: Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy will undergo elbow surgery.
RHP Cristian Javier and RHP José Urquidy scheduled to undergo elbow surgery. pic.twitter.com/l2j8NRGYoo
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 5, 2024
Plus, has the pitch clock and the enforcement of the “sticky stuff” caused an uptick in injuries? And if so, will MLB do anything about it?
Don't miss the video above as we break it all down!
The Astros know how to win these games, and it shows
Jun 29, 2025, 4:28 pm
Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer and Framber Valdez tossed six shutout innings, and the Houston Astros beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Sunday.
Altuve’s 13th home run of the season broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning. It was his first extra base hit in 34 at bats and the Astros' only extra base hit of the game.
ALTUVE FOR THE LEAD!!!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/1rX89783yx
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 29, 2025
Valdez (9-4) struck out six while allowing five hits and two walks.
Starring The Framchise.#BuiltForThis x @budweiserusa pic.twitter.com/sNReaztMjl
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 29, 2025
Only one man reached third base against him. He exited with two on and nobody out in the seventh, but Bryan Abreu replaced him and retired Michael Busch, Vidal Bruján and Ian Happ to work out of trouble.
Abreu pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning. He struck out four of the six men he faced.
Josh Hader retired the side in order in the ninth inning to convert on his franchise record 23rd straight save opportunity to start the season.
Jameson Taillon (7-6) matched zeroes with Valdez until Altuve’s home run on his 107th and final pitch of his outing. He struck out four while giving up five hits and one walk over 4 2/3 innings.
The bullpen trio of Ryan Brasier, Ryan Pressly and Brad Keller held the Astros to two hits over 3 1/3 innings.
Key Moment
Altuve’s fifth inning, two-run homer to break the scoreless tie.
Key Stat
The Astros are unbeaten in their last 11 series, dating back to May 22, going 9-0-2 in that span.
Up Next
The Cubs open a three-game series against the Guardians on Tuesday with LHP Matthew Boyd (7-3 2.65 ERA) against RHP Gavin Williams (5-3 3.68 ERA).
The Astros open a three-game series at the Rockies on Tuesday with LHP Colton Gordon (3-1 3.98 ERA) against RHP Chase Dollander (2-8 6.06 EA).
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