Astros Lose Outfielder and Pitcher to Injuries

Meyers and Javier exit game against Rockies with back and shoulder issues

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:51am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors depicting a baseball game or match, with players and field elements broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes.The Astros' injury woes are reflected in a deconstructed, cubist-inspired illustration of the game action.Houston Today

The Houston Astros suffered a pair of injuries during their game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, as center fielder Jake Meyers left with lower back tightness and right-handed pitcher Cristian Javier was removed due to shoulder tightness. The Astros were swept in the three-game series, losing 9-1 in the finale.

Why it matters

Injuries have plagued the Astros this week, with pitcher Hunter Brown also being placed on the injured list on Sunday with a strained shoulder. The loss of key players like Meyers and Javier could be a significant setback for the team as they look to bounce back from this series defeat.

The details

Meyers tweaked his back while batting in the second inning and had to be removed from the game. Javier was taken out mid-warmup in the bottom of the frame due to shoulder tightness. Astros manager Joe Espada said he had no further updates on the players' conditions after the game.

  • On April 8, 2026, Meyers and Javier both left the game against the Rockies with injuries.
  • On April 9, 2026, the Astros had placed pitcher Hunter Brown on the 15-day injured list with a strained shoulder.

The players

Jake Meyers

A center fielder for the Houston Astros who left Wednesday's game with lower back tightness.

Cristian Javier

A right-handed pitcher for the Houston Astros who was removed from Wednesday's game due to shoulder tightness.

Joe Espada

The manager of the Houston Astros.

Hunter Brown

A right-handed pitcher for the Houston Astros who was placed on the injured list on Sunday with a strained shoulder.

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What they’re saying

“Not what I want to see. It's hard, hard, hard. Got to flush this and get ready to play ball.”

— Joe Espada, Manager, Houston Astros

“Took a swing, thought I was good to go. Took a harder take and it tightened it up more.”

— Jake Meyers

What’s next

The Astros will need to further evaluate the injuries to Meyers and Javier to determine the severity and timeline for their returns. The team will also hope to get Hunter Brown back from the injured list as soon as possible to help bolster their pitching staff.

The takeaway

The Astros' injury woes continue to mount, with the loss of key players like Meyers and Javier coming at an inopportune time. The team will need to demonstrate its resilience and depth to overcome these setbacks and get back on track.