Cristian Javier, the right-handed starting pitcher for the Houston Astros, is scheduled to make his second rehab start on Tuesday with Triple-A Sugar Land. This follows a disappointing first outing with Double-A Corpus Christi, where he threw just 28 pitches and failed to complete the first inning, allowing two earned runs and two walks. The Astros are looking for Javier to increase his pitch count significantly, aiming for between 42 to 45 pitches in this start to set him up for a gradual return to full capacity. Given the severity of his Grade 2 shoulder strain, he may require up to four rehab starts before being considered for a return to the majors. In contrast, fellow injured pitcher Hunter Brown is progressing more quickly in his rehab. The Astros are monitoring Javier's effectiveness closely, as a lack of improvement against Triple-A hitters could raise concerns about his readiness for Major League play. General manager Dana Brown has emphasized the need for Javier to reach 75 pitches before being activated, highlighting the importance of this upcoming start in his recovery process.