J.P. FRANCE NEWS

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

Impact 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.

AUGUST 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scoops up win in relief 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...

Impact 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.

AUGUST 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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.

AUGUST 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Improves to 7-3 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.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

'A different kind of hunger and drive': Former Astros scouts still root for their $1,000 signees “The thing about those guys is they have a different kind of hunger and drive," said former Astros scout Travis Coleman.

JULY 28, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Clarke Schmidt, J.P. France, more young starters break down their pitch development process We spoke to four young starters about what goes into crafting their pitches — and give a fantasy scouting report for each.

JULY 28, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Chandler Rome: J.P. France's incredible rookie season... - The Athletic J.P. France's incredible rookie season continued on Tuesday against one of baseball's best lineups. France scattered five singles across sev...

JULY 26, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Allows just one unearned run 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.

Impact 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.

JULY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chandler Rome: Astros-Rangers probables at Minute Maid Park:... - The Athletic Astros-Rangers probables at Minute Maid Park: Monday: Brandon Bielak vs. Jon Gray Tuesday: J.P. France vs. TBA Wednesday: Framber Valdez vs....

JULY 24, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Breezes through seven frames in win 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.

Impact 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.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Road warrior France pushes Astros past A's OAKLAND -- When it comes to getting results and maintaining composure on the mound, J.P. France has impressed by providing both in ample sup...

JULY 21, 2023 • MLB.COM

J.P. France wins pitcher's duel as Astros edge A's Rookie J.P. France pitched into the eighth inning for the first time in his career, Kyle Tucker hit a two-run double and the Houston Astros...

JULY 21, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Turns in no decision 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.

Impact 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.

JULY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chandler Rome: Astros probables in Anaheim to open the second... - The Athletic Astros probables in Anaheim to open the second half: Friday: J.P. France Saturday: Framber Valdez Sunday: Cristian Javier

JULY 12, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Allows three runs over six frames 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.

Impact 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.

JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chandler Rome: J.P. France has a 3.13 ERA after his first 10... - The Athletic J.P. France has a 3.13 ERA after his first 10 major-league starts. He spun his fifth straight quality start on Thursday night at Busch Stadi...

JUNE 30, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Cruises to third win 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.

Impact 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.

JUNE 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes third loss 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.

Impact 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.

JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Results not reflecting France's steady presence LOS ANGELES -- It’s becoming a frustrating pattern: J.P. France turns in a strong starting performance, but the Astros can’t find a way to w...

JUNE 24, 2023 • MLB.COM

Tough-luck loser 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.

Impact 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.

JUNE 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lack of run support dims France's 3rd straight quality start HOUSTON -- The Astros didn’t score a run until the ninth inning for the second consecutive game Friday night at Minute Maid Park. By that ti...

JUNE 17, 2023 • MLB.COM

Earns win despite wildness 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.

Impact 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.

JUNE 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chandler Rome: Astros-Guardians probables this weekend at... - The Athletic Astros-Guardians probables this weekend at Progressive Field: Friday: Cristian Javier vs. Logan Allen Saturday: J.P. France vs. Triston McKe...

JUNE 8, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Holds Angels to one run 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.

Impact 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.

JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

France conquers first-inning jitters in brilliant start HOUSTON -- J.P. France admits that the first inning is “usually my Kryptonite.” And before his start Sunday, the right-hander was understand...

JUNE 4, 2023 • MLB.COM