The Houston Astros have sidelined their star starting pitcher Hunter Brown after placing him on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a shoulder strain.
The 27-year-old right-handed pitcher had been having an outstanding season, posting a 12-2 record with an impressive 2.43 ERA in 2025. His most recent outing showcased his dominance as he delivered six stellar innings in Houston’s commanding 9-2 win against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday evening. In that performance, Brown surrendered just one hit while walking two batters and recording eight strikeouts to secure the victory.
Manager Joe Espada revealed that Brown experienced shoulder discomfort while throwing during a routine practice session on Friday. The team immediately sent Brown back to Houston for a thorough medical evaluation by team physicians.
Espada informed MLB.com that Brown’s recovery timeline remains uncertain pending additional medical assessments.
To fill the roster spot, Houston promoted right-handed pitcher Christian Roa from their Triple-A affiliate Sugar Land before Sunday’s matchup against the Athletics. The team made Brown’s injured list placement effective retroactively to Thursday.
Brown has established himself as a reliable starter for the Astros, achieving double-digit wins in each of the past three seasons. Over his five-year major league career spanning 102 appearances, including 94 starts, he maintains a 3.44 earned run average.
