Houston Astros make call on ace Hunter Brown’s injury
As the only American League West team with a winning record, the Houston Astros are enjoying a solid start to the 2026 MLB season. The Astros rebounded from dropping their first two games to win six of the next seven. On Saturday, April 4, Houston rolled to an 11-0 victory over the Athletics to improve to 6-3.
MORE: Dodgers make decision about Mookie Betts’ injury On the other hand, the Astros made a disappointing announcement on Sunday, April 5, per MLB Trade Rumors . They placed ace starting pitcher Hunter Brown on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder strain. Consequently, the team recalled right-handed reliever Christian Roa from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move.
This is the 27-year-old Brown’s first trip to the injured list in his five-year career. The move is retroactive to April 2. Brown became the unquestioned ace of the Houston staff in the offseason.
That’s because Framber Valdez, who helped the Astros win the 2022 World Series, left for the Detroit Tigers in free agency. Through two starts, Brown boasted a strong beginning. For instance, he pitched 4 2/3 innings in the season opener against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing no runs and striking out nine.
Then, in his second start on Tuesday, March 31 against the Boston Red Sox, Brown got the win. He pitched six innings, allowing one run and one hit and striking out eight. In 2025, Brown finished third in AL Cy Young Award voting.