Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Astros Place All-Star On IL With Concerning Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Apr 5, 2026 3:46 PM ET

The Houston Astros ' starting rotation took a hit on Sunday, as their ace, right-hander Hunter Brown, will head to the injured list. Retroactive to April 2, the Astros placed Brown on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain.

To take Brown’s place on the active roster, right-hander Christian Roa was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land. Roa, 27, appeared in one game, walking one batter in one inning.

We have made the following roster move: pic.twitter.com/Vf6U0cTrPm
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 5, 2026

The Houston Astros have the depth to fill in for Hunter Brown

Mar 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) works a ball between pitches against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Brown’s loss is a major blow to the Astros, as he is the Ace of the starting rotation. A first-time All-Star in 2025, Brown finished third in the American League Cy Young Award voting as well (12-9 with a 2.43 ERA and 206 strikeouts).

Brown did make two starts before hitting the injured list, going 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA and striking out 17 in 10.2 innings. Despite all the strikeouts, Brown walked six.

Brown was supposed to pitch on Monday when the Astros travel to Colorado to play the Rockies. With Roa not being a starter, the Astros could be looking at a bullpen game for Monday. Brown is the Astros' fourth starting pitcher to hit the injured list this season, joining right-handers Ronel Blanco (recovering from a torn UCL), Hayden Wesneski (recovering from a torn UCL), and left-hander Brandon Walter (torn UCL, out until 2027).

Right-hander Spencer Arrighetti is an option to start in Brown's absence. However, Arrighetti will need time, as he started on Friday for Sugar Land. Arrighetti looked good against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (the Miami Marlins Triple-A affiliate), striking out nine and walking three, and allowing no hits in 4.1 innings.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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