SEATTLE -- The Astros placed right-handed pitcher Cristian Javier on the 15-day injured list prior to Wednesday’s game against the Mariners and purchased the contract of 29-year-old left-hander Josh Hendrickson. If he gets into a game, Hendrickson would be making his Major League debut.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Astros placed outfielder Jake Meyers to the 60-day IL with a left knee fracture.
Javier left Tuesday’s start against the Mariners in Seattle after two scoreless innings with right groin tightness, though he said postgame he expected to make his next start. He posted a 1.96 ERA in four starts in September, pitching 18 1/3 innings.
Hendrickson was signed by the Astros as a Minor League free agent on April 18 and spent the entire season at Triple-A Sugar Land, going 9-7 with a 4.75 ERA in 23 games (19 starts), with 106 strikeouts and 27 walks in 113 2/3 innings.
Hendrickson started and threw 46 pitches in three innings Sunday in Sugar Land’s regular-season finale. He gives the Astros an option to throw multiple innings after the club was forced to use four relief pitchers Tuesday, including three -- Bennett Sousa, Miguel Ullola and Logan VanWey -- who pitched two innings apiece and likely wouldn't be available Wednesday.
Hendrickson was drafted in the 38th round of the 2019 Draft by the Phillies and was in Philadelphia’s organization from 2019-23. He pitched three innings in one game for Team Australia in the World Baseball Classic.