Astros' Cody Bolton to Undergo New Imaging for Recurring Back Issue

Cody Bolton was removed from his start against the Rockies in the second inning due to mid-back tightness, and the Houston Astros are preparing for the possibility of placing him on the injured list. The right-hander is set to undergo additional imaging following the recurrence of the issue, which had previously flared up after he was hit by a pitch in a spot start last week.

Bolton, 28, had been a bright spot in a struggling Astros rotation, posting a 3.78 ERA in 7 1/3 innings with 10 strikeouts and just three walks this season. His exit came at a critical time for Houston, which already has Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier on the shelf with shoulder strains. Now, with Tatsuya Imai also returning to the club for evaluation due to arm fatigue, the rotation is in serious disarray.

Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported that right-hander J.P. France is returning to the Astros from the minors just one day after being optioned. That move is only permissible if France is replacing a player on the injured list, suggesting the team is preparing for a roster move. France, 31, has struggled this year with a 7.31 ERA and 5.19 FIP in 32 big league innings, including a four-run performance in just 2 2/3 innings earlier this season.

The situation is dire for manager Joe Espada, who now has just Mike Burrows and Lance McCullers Jr. as healthy starters on the active roster. Depth options like Spencer Arrighetti and Colton Gordon could step in, but both lack the experience of a full-season starter. If Bolton and Imai both land on the IL, the Astros could be forced to call up multiple arms from the minors in a short span.

The Astros’ pitching woes have created a domino effect. With Brown and Javier both sidelined with similar injuries, the team is now facing a potential rotation rebuild mid-season. The organization has already seen multiple arms fail to hold up under the workload, and the latest injury to Bolton raises more questions about Houston’s ability to stay competitive in the AL West.

The team will likely make an official announcement regarding Bolton’s status in the coming days. If the imaging confirms a more serious issue, the Astros could be forced to make a roster move as early as tomorrow. The next start for the rotation will come on Friday, and Espada will need to have a plan in place to avoid another abbreviated game.