Hunter Brown's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

With right-hander Cristian Javier (neck) returning from the injured list to start on Saturday against the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said it's undecided how the starting rotation will adjust. A six-man rotation is still a possibility. Right-hander Hunter Brown, who was on turn to go this Saturday, could be available out of the bullpen this weekend. The 25-year-old last pitched on Sunday but is the logical candidate to lose out with Javier returning, as he's so far posted an ugly 8.89 ERA and 2.19 WHIP with 18 walks and 29 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings over his first seven starts of the year to go along with an 0-4 record. If Brown doesn't pitch out of the bullpen this weekend, he could get the start against the Oakland Athletics on Monday. Either way, Brown's fantasy value, which was already on life support, is taking another hit with the return of Javier.

Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown is being moved up to start on Sunday against the Washington Nationals after the team scratched right-hander Cristian Javier (neck) from his scheduled start due to neck discomfort. Brown was previously scheduled to make his next start on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. The 25-year-old will be on a typical four days of rest, so he shouldn't have any limitations on Sunday against the Nats. Brown has an ugly 10.54 ERA (6.67 FIP) and 2.78 WHIP with 10 walks and 11 strikeouts over 13 2/3 innings in his four starts for Houston, but he did have his first quality start in his last outing against the Atlanta Braves, when he gave up two runs with three walks and three K's in six innings on April 16. Brown will be hoping to make it two straight strong outings on Sunday.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown bounced back into form on Tuesday versus the Atlanta Braves. In his previous start, Brown didn't make it out of the first inning and allowed 11 hits on nine runs. It was a much better performance Tuesday as earned a quality start by going six innings and allowing five hits, two runs, three walks and striking out three. The three walks weren't ideal, but it was nice to see Brown get back on track after such an abysmal outing his previous time on the mound. Brown still got stuck with the loss as the Astros offense didn't help and falls to 0-3 with a 10.54 ERA. Next up will be a matchup versus the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. The Cubs draw plenty of walks and this isn't an ideal matchup for Brown.

Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown had a start to forget on Thursday against the Kansas City Royals. The 25-year-old was crushed for nine runs on 11 hits in the first inning of the contest. Brown got the hook after recording only two outs, making it the shortest start of his young career. It has been a harrowing start to the season for the former top prospect. Brown now owns an ugly 16.43 ERA through three starts and has yet to go deeper than four innings into a game. Brown has the pedigree to turn things around, but it will be tough to trust him in his next start against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown has put together a strong spring to this point, compiling a 2.84 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings pitched. This is a good sign for the Astros and fantasy managers, as the team has expressed that the 25-year-old will need "to take a step forward" given their lack of rotation depth and injuries, per the Athletic's Chandler Rome. Brown showed some positive signs in 2023 but ultimately finished at 11-13 with a 5.09 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 26.8% strikeout rate in 31 appearances (29 starts) and 155 2/3 IP. His pedigree and strong team give him some fantasy upside, but fantasy managers may want to wait to see consistency from him before trusting him.