Houston Astros: Cristian Javier, Josh Hader near next steps

ARLINGTON — Houston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier is scheduled to throw a live batting practice on Friday in a significant step in his recovery from a shoulder strain, manager Joe Espada said.

Javier’s injury was the same diagnosis that landed Astros ace Hunter Brown on the injured list in the first week of April. Brown is ahead of Javier in their respective build-ups and is scheduled to make his second rehab start Friday with Triple-A Sugar Land.

Four members of Houston’s initial five-man rotation have spent time on the injured list in the season’s first two months. Lance McCullers Jr. was placed on the IL last week due to shoulder inflammation and Tatsuya Imai spent about a month on the IL due to “arm fatigue.”

Closer Josh Hader is slated to pitch Wednesday and Thursday on his rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land in potentially his final hurdle before rejoining the Astros.

Hader has spent the full season to date on the IL returning from biceps tendinitis. General manager Dana Brown has said the Astros are targeting the first week of June for Hader’s activation.

Jose Altuve is swinging a bat at “75-to-80 percent” in his recovery from a left oblique strain, Espada said. Altuve also ran and fielded grounders Wednesday at the Astros’ complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., where he is doing his rehab work.

Espada said it was too soon to declare Altuve close to facing live pitching: “But I do know the fact that he’s swinging, taking this many swings, groundballs and running, that’s really encouraging.”