Javier K's 5 in first start since TJ surgery on night of key returns for Astros

HOUSTON -- As far as feel-good stories go, the return of Carlos Correa to Daikin Park for the first time since the Astros traded for him and Alex Bregman’s first trip back as a member of the Red Sox dominated the narrative Monday night.

A couple of other Astros who, like Bregman, made big contributions to the 2022 World Series championship team had their welcome-back moment, too.

Cristian Javier, pitching for the first time in the big leagues since May 21, 2024, allowed three hits and two runs in five innings in his return from the injured list, and Chas McCormick clubbed his first home run in nearly a year as the Astros held on for a 7-6 win over the Red Sox.

“I was happy I was able to put a good swing on that and help the team win today,” McCormick said. “That was nice. It was a good feeling.”

Javier allowed only one hit after giving up a two-run homer in the first inning to Bregman, who received a huge ovation pregame from a crowd of 39,330 in his return to Houston. He threw 53 of 85 pitches for strikes.

“That was a really good performance,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He looked strong. I think he pitched to some trouble there and he had all his pitches working. Aside from the home run to Breggy in the first, he was really, really good.”

Christian Walker’s two-run double in the third off Garrett Crochet put the Astros ahead, and McCormick rocketed a no-doubt homer to left -- his first since Aug. 28, 2024 -- in the fourth to make it 5-2. Ramón Urías added a two-run homer in his first home game for the Astros.

“Crochet is one of the best pitchers in the game, and to get him out of there after four innings, it tells you how we came in with a great game plan,” Espada said. “The first inning there, first time through, he was working fast, and then we started seeing him up and had some big swings.”

Javier touched 95.4 mph with his four-seam fastball and has added a sinker, which he threw 12 times to right-handers. Five of his 10 whiffs came on his sweeping slider.

“I’m very happy to be out there, very appreciative, to be out there with my teammates and give the best that I can,” he said. “I was trying to throw the ball in the zone and I wasn’t nervous. I was just trying to make adjustments inning by inning.”

Espada said he was encouraged by Javier’s velocity and the hop on his four-seamer, as well as what he was saying and feeling in between innings.

“He displayed the fastball and threw it up in the zone,” he said. “The breaking ball was not as sharp as we’ve seen him before. But to get five innings, and he looked healthy and looked strong, that’s exactly what this team needs.”

McCormick, a World Series starter in ‘22, had a rough 2024, hitting .211 with five homers and 27 RBIs and being optioned briefly to Triple-A Sugar Land. He missed 40 games this year with an oblique strain, but is making the most of some recent starts against left-handers.

“Obviously, we’ve been able to see some lefties so it’s been nice to get out there and get some rhythm and play baseball,” he said. “I’m enjoying it.”

McCormick also contributed a nice catch at the wall in the fifth inning to track down a fly ball off the bat of Roman Anthony, who homered in the seventh as part of Boston’s four-run outburst that helped bring the go-ahead run to the plate in the seventh and ninth.

Espada used all five of his available relief pitchers -- Bryan King and Bryan Abreu were down and closer Josh Hader has shoulder discomfort -- with Bennett Sousa striking out Anthony to end the game and strand a runner at second.

“That was kind of fun, to be honest with you,” Espada said. “I trust this bullpen. These guys have been good for us the whole entire year and we need them. Today was a perfect example. [Enyel] De Los Santos coming in the game in a big spot and Sousa coming in and getting one of the best lefty hitters in the league. [Kaleb] Ort has been outstanding for us the last three outings. Everybody contributed.”