Astros put opening day starter Hunter Brown on IL with shoulder strain
After two solid starts, shoulder issue sidelines Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown through at least mid-April.
A strong start to the 2026 season for Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown has been put on hold. The Astros put Brown on the injured list on Sunday, April 5 with a shoulder strain. Brown, the Astros' opening day starter, had only allowed a total of one earned run in his first two starts of the season with 17 strikeouts and six walks.
The move was retroactive to April 2, so it's possible he could have sustained the injury during a bullpen session between starts. Brown would have been lined up to make his next start on Sunday against the Athletics in Sacramento. Brown has emerged as the ace of the Astros staff, especially with the departure of Framber Valdez this past offseason as a free agent .
He went 12-9 last season with a career-best 2. 43 ERA in 185 ⅓ innings. In two starts so far in 2026, he has a 1-0 record and 0.
84 ERA. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Astros ace Hunter Brown goes on injured list with shoulder strain