J.P. France Injury News & Updates

France and Jose Urquidy are being considered to start for the Astros in Game 4 of the ALDS versus the Twins on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Manager Dusty Baker seemingly ruled Hunter Brown out when he used the righty in relief in Game 2. France really struggled in the final two months of the regular season in collecting a 5.84 ERA, but he posted a 2.85 mark prior to that. Urquidy pitched to a 5.29 ERA this season while missing time with a shoulder issue, although he pitch well in a spot start in his final appearance of the regular season.

France (personal) is back with the Astros and is available out of the bullpen, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

France was scratched from his scheduled start against Arizona on Friday due to a family emergency. While his absence lasted just one day, he won't get another chance to start.

France was scratched from his start Friday versus the Diamondbacks due to a family emergency.

There are no other details at this time. Jose Urquidy will get the start instead as the Astros open their final series of the regular season. Entering play on Friday, they sit two games back of the Rangers for first place in the AL West and one game up on the Mariners for the third AL wild-card spot.

France was scratched from his start Friday against the Diamondbacks for undisclosed reasons, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Given their position in the American League West and wild-card standings, Friday's game is pretty close to a must-win game for the Astros, so France must be dealing with some kind of physical issue. Look for an update on France's status to arrive later Friday. Jose Urquidy will pick up his first start since Aug. 23 in place of France.

France (11-6) allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings to take the loss Saturday against the Royals.

France didn't receive any run support while he was in the game, and the Astros' comeback effort fell short in the late innings. With 26 runs allowed (25 earned) over his last 28.1 innings, it appears France has worn down late in the season. He's still at a respectable 3.83 ERA despite a 1.36 WHIP and 101:47 K:BB through 136.1 innings this year. His last start of the regular season is lined up to be a road outing in Arizona, but it's tough to envision him being part of a potential postseason rotation if the Astros are playing in October.

France escaped with a no-decision Saturday in the Astros' 10-8 loss to the Royals, coughing up five runs on five hits and four walks over 4.1 innings. He failed to strike out a batter.

Kansas City jumped out to a 3-0 first-inning lead in the wild affair, but France was able to avoid taking his sixth loss of the season when Houston tied things up at 6-6 in the top of the seventh. The right-hander has given up at least five runs in three of his last five starts, posting a brutal 8.87 ERA, 1.97 WHIP and 16:15 K:BB through 23.1 innings over that stretch, and with the Astros in a dogfight for the AL West title -- they're a half-game up on the Rangers and 1.5 games ahead of the Mariners after Saturday's action -- France could lose his rotation spot over the final weeks of the season, with Jose Urquidy the most likely replacement.

France (11-5) yielded one run on four hits and five walks over six innings Sunday, striking out five and earning a win over the Padres.

Despite his lackluster final line, France threw five shutout frames before Matt Carpenter's solo shot in the sixth inning. France has allowed nine homers in his last five appearances, posting a brutal 7.20 ERA during that span. However, he's given up two or fewer runs in eight of his last 10 outings with a 7-2 record across that stretch. France now owns a 3.61 ERA and a 96:42 K:BB through 127 innings. His next start is projected to be in Kansas City.

France did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks over five innings in a 13-6 victory over the Rangers. He struck out five.

France struggled early Monday, allowing two runs in the opening frame in an eventual no-decision. After posting a 2.75 ERA through his first 18 starts, France has now surrendered 17 runs in his last three outings (13 innings) as his ERA has jumped to 3.72 with a 1.31 WHIP and 91:37 K:BB across 121 innings this season. The 28-year-old rookie will look to get back on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for this weekend against the Padres.

France (10-5) earned the win Tuesday, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over 5.2 innings against Boston. He struck out three.

It was an impressive effort from France after he was tagged for 10 runs in his previous outing against the same Red Sox team. The 28-year-old France has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts. He lowered his ERA to 3.49 on the season with a 1.29 WHIP and 86:34 K:BB across 19 starts (116 innings). France is currently in line for a key road matchup with the Rangers in his next outing.

France (9-5) took the loss Thursday, allowing 10 runs on 11 hits and two walks over 2.1 innings against Boston. He struck out three.

France began his outing by surrendering a home run to Alex Verdugo, and it wouldn't get better from there -- the Red Sox would eventually tally 10 runs on 10 hits off the rookie right-hander, who recorded just seven outs. Coming into the day, France hadn't allowed more than two runs in any of his last seven starts, working to a 1.94 ERA over that span. His ERA ballooned from 2.75 to 3.56 on the season with a 1.31 WHIP and 83:33 K:BB across 18 starts (110.1 innings). France could get a chance for redemption in his next outing -- he's currently slated for a rematch with the Red Sox at Fenway.

France (9-4) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk over six innings in a 2-0 loss against the Mariners. He struck out seven.

France continues to pitch well in his first major-league season but was outmatched in a pitcher's duel by fellow rookie Bryce Miller. France has now allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last 13 starts and has gone at least six innings in 11 of those 13 appearances. He's currently projected to face the Red Sox next week in the friendly confines of Minute Maid Park.

France (9-3) earned the win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five batters over seven innings.

France was back in the rotation Saturday after a temporary move to the bullpen following his previous start. The right-hander continued to hum along, picking up his fifth win over his past five outings. Excluding an effective 3.1-inning relief appearance last Sunday against New York, France has picked up four straight quality starts, going exactly seven innings in each instance. He's given up more than three earned runs in an outing only twice in over 17 appearances on the campaign, with his last such performance coming all the way back on May 29. The only knock on him from a fantasy perspective has been his below-average strikeout numbers, but France has still been a valuable rotation piece with nine victories, a 2.74 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.

France is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Angels in Houston, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

After the Astros acquired Justin Verlander from the Mets and returned Jose Urquidy from the 60-day injured list last week, Houston elected to keep a five-man rotation intact, leaving France as the odd man out. With Urquidy turning in a short start Sunday against the Yankees in his first outing back from the IL, France ended up coming in relief and struck out four over 3.1 innings en route to nabbing the win. Just as manager Dusty Baker suggested was the case last week, France's move to the bullpen was short-lived, as Houston will move to a six-man rotation at least temporarily while the team is in the midst of a stretch of nine games in nine days. France will return to the hill Saturday looking to claim his seventh win in eight appearances.

France (8-3) was the pitcher of record in Sunday's 9-7 win over the Yankees after giving up one unearned run on three hits and three walks while striking out four over 3.1 innings out of the bullpen.

After serving as a starter in his first 15 appearances with Houston, France moved to the bullpen Sunday to clear a spot in the rotation for right-hander Jose Urquidy, who was activated from the 60-day injured list to make his first start since April 30. Urquidy was on a limited pitch count and labored through 3.1 innings before being pulled from the contest, paving the way for France to effectively piggyback him. France was able to come away with his fourth consecutive win and his sixth win in seven outings while lowering his ERA to 2.75 in the process. The rookie right-hander isn't expected to be in line for a permanent stay in the bullpen, but manager Dusty Baker has yet to reveal when France may make his next start.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Friday that France is only being moved to the bullpen temporarily, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

France will be available in piggyback relief behind Jose Urquidy (shoulder) this Sunday against the Yankees, but it sounds like the Astros want to roll with a six-man rotation for at least a portion of the stretch run. The 28-year-old right-hander has delivered a sharp 2.85 ERA through 91.2 innings (15 starts) this season with Houston.

France (7-3) earned the win over Cleveland on Monday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six batters over seven innings.

France fell behind early after giving up two runs in the second inning, but he bounced back and kept the Guardians off the scoreboard for the remainder of his outing. The rookie finished with his third straight quality start, and he's completed exactly seven frames in each game during that stretch. France has now won five consecutive decisions in a span of six starts, registering a 1.88 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB across 38.1 innings during that period. Even with Jose Urquidy (shoulder) on the verge of a return and the Astros possibly in search of another starter as the trade deadline approaches, France's spot in the rotation should be secure given his excellent results on the campaign.

France (6-3) earned the win Tuesday against the Rangers after he gave up one unearned run on five hits and two walks across seven innings. He struck out three.

The rookie right-hander generated a mere four swinging strikes but allowed only five singles as Texas managed just a single unearned run against him. It's France's fourth victory in his past five starts, and he has a 1.72 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB over 31.1 frames in that span. The 28-year-old now has a 2.87 ERA through his first 14 major-league starts.

France (5-3) earned the win over Oakland on Thursday, allowing one run on six hits and one walk while striking out five batters over seven innings.

France yielded a run in the first inning but kept the A's off the scoreboard for the remainder of his outing. As usual, the rookie right-hander wasn't overpowering -- his five punchouts were actually his most over his past six starts -- but he kept the ball in the park and induced two double-play groundouts. France has recorded seven quality starts over his past eight outings, compiling a 2.66 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 50.2 innings during that span. His steady consistency during the campaign has helped him solidify an unquestioned role in the Astros' rotation.

France did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing four runs on nine hits over 4.1 innings against the Angels. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.

France had one of the more mediocre starts of his young career, failing to complete five innings for the first time since May 17. However, this could simply be a minor bump in the road for the right-hander as he's generally been solid this year (3.31 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP). France's next start is tentatively slated to be on Thursday against the A's.

France (4-3) earned the win Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over six innings against the Rockies. He struck out four.

France allowed the leadoff man to reach base in three of his first five innings of work and it finally cost him in the fifth as he surrendered two runs on singles by Harold Castro and Jurickson Profar after walking Nolan Jones to open the frame. The right-hander would still make it through six innings for the seventh consecutive start, however, while going on to record his fourth win. France also has not allowed more than three runs in any game over that stretch and now holds a solid 3.26 ERA after Wednesday's outing.

France (3-3) allowed four hits and two walks while striking out two over seven shutout innings to earn the win Thursday over the Cardinals.

France turned in his fifth straight quality start, and this was his first scoreless outing since his debut May 6 versus the Mariners. The right-hander has emerged as a solid mid-rotation option for the Astros over his 10 starts -- he's allowed four or more runs just twice while pitching to a 3.13 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 44:20 K:BB through 60.1 innings. The lack of strikeouts reduces his fantasy appeal, and he's also given up nine home runs, so there's been some luck on his side that his ratios aren't worse. France is projected for a home start versus the Rockies next week.

France (2-3) took the loss Friday, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings against the Dodgers. He struck out four.

France added another solid outing to his 2023 campaign despite the loss. The right-hander's 2-3 record is deceiving, as his only bad start of the year was on May 17 against the Cubs (six runs allowed over 3.2 innings). His next appearance is tentatively slated to be against the Cardinals on Thursday.

France (2-2) allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three across 6.2 innings to take the loss against the Reds on Friday.

France kept pace with counterpart Andrew Abbott for much of the game but ultimately allowed a two-run blast by Tyler Stephenson in the seventh inning. France has worked deep into his starts of late, completing at least six innings in each of his last four appearances. In that span, he's maintained a 3.42 ERA and 1.22 WHIP while posting a 20:11 K:BB across 26.1 frames.

France (2-1) picked up the win against Cleveland on Saturday, allowing three runs on seven hits and six walks while striking out six batters over 6.2 innings.

France allowed 11 batters to reach base through six frames, but he managed to yield just one run thanks largely to three double plays behind him. The right-hander finally succumbed to the onslaught of baserunners when he was charged with two runs in the seventh, but the Astros offense gave him enough of a cushion to allow him to end up in the win column. France's six walks doubled his previous career-high mark, and he threw just 56 of 105 pitches for a strike, so this wasn't the typical stat line of a pitcher who picks up a quality start. Still, France should be commended for getting big outs when needed, and he's now given up three or fewer earned runs in five of his first seven MLB outings.

France tossed seven innings against the Angels on Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out three. He did not factor into the decision.

France had a no-hit bid through 5.1 frames until Luis Rengifo belted a first-pitch changeup over the wall in right center to even the game at 1-1. He wound up giving up two more singles in the seventh but was able to escape with no harm done. The three hits given up tied his season-low and seven innings was the longest France has gone in his first MLB season. The 28-year-old has given the Astros' rotation a huge lift with all the injuries they've had to deal with and now sits at a 3.44 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB over 34 innings. His only win was back on May 14, and he'll look to get back in the win column versus the Guardians in another weekend start.

France allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out eight batters over six innings in a no-decision against Minnesota on Monday.

The outing was a mixed bag for France -- a third-inning three-run homer off the bat of Royce Lewis put him in an early hole, but he gave up only one more run despite failing to record a single 1-2-3 frame. The rookie righty also racked up an impressive 17 swinging strikes and fanned eight batters for the second straight game. Though this was France's second-longest start of the season, it was also just the second time he's given up more than one earned run through five appearances. From a fantasy perspective, his appeal is increasing with his improved strikeout numbers -- France notched a modest 10 punchouts over his first 15.1 big-league frames but has struck out 16 across his past 11.2 innings.

France (1-1) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out eight over 5.2 innings in a loss to the Brewers on Tuesday.

France delivered a nice performance after racking up a season-high eight strikeouts but had no margin for error since the Astros were shut out. It was the third consecutive outing in which he's allowed a home run after Owen Miller took him deep to center to kick off the scoring in the third. Outside of his last start against the Cubs, France has been an impactful addition to Houston's rotation. He's lined up for a two-start week next week and now owns a 3.43 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB over 21 innings thus far.

France allowed six runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs on Wednesday.

Seiya Suzuki homered twice and Christopher Morel also took France deep as the Cubs got all of their scoring done in the first four innings. The Astros would rally in the eighth and ninth to get France off the hook in the worst of his three major-league starts so far. The right-hander had allowed just one earned run over his first 11.2 innings. He now has a 4.11 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB through 15.1 innings. France is projected for a challenging road start in Milwaukee next week.

France (1-0) allowed one run on three hits and a walk over 6.2 innings Friday, striking out three and earning a win over the White Sox.

France cruised to a win Friday and didn't face much danger in his second career start. The only blemish on his stat line came from Luis Robert's solo shot in the second inning. France has given up just one run through 11.2 frames in his first two MLB starts. As of now, his third career start is projected to be at home against the Cubs next week.

France is scheduled to make his second start with the Astros on Friday against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.

France will unsurprisingly receive another turn through the rotation after he excelled in his MLB debut last weekend in Seattle, taking a no-decision despite striking out five and permitting only three hits and one walk over five scoreless frames. While all of Lance McCullers (forearm), Jose Urquidy (shoulder) and Luis Garcia (elbow) are on the shelf with long-term injuries, France should have plenty of leash in the Houston rotation even if he takes a step back in his second MLB start.

France allowed three hits and a walk while striking out five over five scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Saturday.

France threw 51 of 84 pitches for strikes in his major-league debut. He was in line for the win before a meltdown from Rafael Montero and Ryne Stanek in the eighth inning. France was solid with a 2.33 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 26:11 K:BB over 19.1 innings with Triple-A Sugar Land to start the year. The 28-year-old could stick in Houston's rotation for a while since Luis Garcia's (elbow) season is over while Lance McCullers (forearm) and Jose Urquidy (shoulder) are also on the injured list. France is tentatively projected to make a road start versus the White Sox next week in the likely event he stays up with the big club.

France will make his major-league debut Saturday against the Mariners, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It was reported earlier Friday that France was being promoted and now we know for sure that he's joining an Astros rotation which has been hit hard by injury. France boasts a 2.33 ERA and 26:11 K:BB over 19.1 innings covering five appearances (three starts) for Triple-A Sugar Land in 2023.

France was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land by the Astros on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

France is off to a great start with Sugar Land this season, posting a 2.33 ERA and 26:11 K:BB over 19.1 innings covering five appearances (three starts). It's not clear at this point whether he will join the Astros' rotation, but it would make sense with Luis Garcia (elbow) and Jose Urquidy (shoulder) sidelined. The 28-year-old will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game.

France was optioned to the Astros' minor-league camp Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

France was added to Houston's 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, but he won't open 2023 in the majors. The 27-year-old had a 3.90 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 136:51 K:BB over 110.2 innings at Triple-A Sugar Land last year and could make his MLB debut this season.