Astros' Brown on five-year contract extension for hurler Javier: 'We are really excited about signing him to a long-term deal'

A key member of the Houston Astros’ starting rotation has been awarded an extension, per a report on the incumbent World Series champions’ website. 

The Astros inked right-handed hurler Cristian Javier for five more seasons through 2027 in the first major move under new general manager (GM) Dana Brown’s watch on Friday. 

“Javier’s reign continues,” the franchise tweeted.

Per the report, the exact amount of the extension is undisclosed, but the 25-year-old from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (DR) is purportedly due $64 million. 

He joined the Astros by way of a $10,000 bonus during the 2015 international signing period and made his pro debut with Houston in the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 season. 

“Cristian is an outstanding pitcher, so we are really excited about signing him to a long-term deal,” Brown, who succeeded James Click, said in the report. “As a core piece of our rotation, we felt that he is the perfect candidate for this type of deal.”

The owner of an overall 20-12 record, Javier, known by the moniker “El Reptil,” is best known for spearheading a couple of combined no-hitters during the Astros’ second championship season in half a decade. 

He was the starter for the four-man no-no against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the 2022 Fall Classic, as well as the feat achieved against the New York Yankees last June. 

Javier and the Astros pitching staff are slated to report on Wednesday, according to the ball club.

Before the Astros’ title defense begins, he will hone his craft as a member of the Dominican Republic national team in this year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC). 

Astros teammates Bryan Abreu, Ronel Blanco, Luis Garcia, Rafael Montero, Hector Neris and Jeremy Peña are also on the DR’s roster. 

The WBC is from Tuesday, March 7 to Tuesday, March 21.