Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown will start a game against the Milwaukee Brewers this weekend, according to manager Joe Espada. The Astros are officially moving to a six-man starting rotation. Brown is most likely to start the series opener against Milwaukee on Friday, but fantasy managers in most leagues are going to want to avoid him after he has opened the 2024 season by going 0-4 with a 7.79 ERA (5.08 FIP) and 2.01 WHIP with 18 walks and 36 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings over eight appearances (seven starts). Brown looked better in a long-relief role over the weekend for the Astros, so hopefully he can carry that momentum over to his eighth start of the season. If Brown struggles again this weekend against the Brew Crew, he could find himself right back in the bullpen.

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.

Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown, who threw 50 more innings last year than he had in any other season, wasn't as effective late in 2023 due to subtle mechanical changes after the All-Star break because fatigue was setting in. Brown finished the first half with a 4.12 ERA and 3.32 FIP but stumbled to a 6.57 ERA in 14 appearances after the All-Star break. "I was getting a little bit more crossfire, which diminished my ability to get the fastball away to right-handed hitters especially and leaving it more arm-side. Righties, in particular, were able to do more damage on my harder fastball (and) cutter because I wasn't getting it extension side due to those mechanics," Brown said. To remedy it, pitching coaches Josh Miller and Bill Murphy are working with Brown to develop a new, lower-velocity slider. The 25-year-old is one of the more intriguing young arms in the game, but he may be more of a swing man if Houston's starters are able to stay healthy.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown had a tough outing Sunday, giving up six runs in just three innings of work. Notably, the right-hander allowed four home runs in the contest. With this performance, his season ERA has climbed to 5.12, which could lead to the 25-year-old being shifted to a bullpen role should Houston make the playoffs. The Astros' hopes to advance to the postseason are now in question after getting swept by Kansas City.

Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown is lined up to make his next start this Sunday against the Seattle Mariners. Brown picked up a win on Tuesday over the Miami Marlins after throwing two innings out of the bullpen, and now he'll make his next start this weekend. The 24-year-old struggled in his last start on Aug. 10 against the Baltimore Orioles, allowing five earned runs in six innings, but he also fanned seven and walked none in that outing. Overall, Brown has been pretty solid in his first full season as a starter in the big leagues, going 9-8 with a 4.16 ERA (3.93 FIP), 1.28 WHIP, 39 walks and 138 strikeouts covering 125 1/3 innings over his 23 outings (22 starts). Lock him back into starting fantasy lineups this weekend against the M's.

The Houston Astros will skip right-hander Hunter Brown's next turn through the starting rotation and will start left-hander Framber Valdez and right-handers Cristian Javier and Justin Verlander in their upcoming three-game series against the Miami Marlins. Brown said he'll be available to pitch out of the bullpen in Miami, and if he doesn't pitch there, he will start the opener of a series against the Seattle Mariners next Friday. The 24-year-old struggled in his last outing on Aug. 10 against the Baltimore Orioles, giving up five earned runs on eight hits (two homers) while fanning seven in six innings. He hasn't been terrible in his first full season as a starter for the 'Stros, so they're likely just managing his workload late in the season. Overall, Brown is 8-8 with a 4.23 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 137 K's in 123 1/3 innings (22 starts).

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown looked fairly sharp during his start against the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. The right-hander went six innings, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out four batters. The 24-year-old earned a quality start for his effort, but also was handed a no-decision. He'll carry a 4.19 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a 122/35 K/BB ratio across 19 starts into his next outing versus the Tampa Bay Rays. Brown won't be as appealing of a streaming option for that game.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown will take the mound versus the Seattle Mariners on Friday. The Astros are shaking up their rotation with Framber Valdez (ankle) getting an extra day of rest before starting on Saturday. Brown has been relatively solid throughout the first half of the season. He holds a 3.76 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, with 103/30 K/BB ratio through 16 starts. He didn't pitch too well his last time around, but should be able to put together a better performance on Friday.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown looked like he was in complete command throughout Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. His only mistake came when he gave up a leadoff home run to Mookie Betts. After that, Brown was sharp and threw six strong innings on Sunday. He racked up seven strikeouts, allowing three hits, and left the game with a 4-1 lead. Sadly, the Astros bullpen was unable to hold the lead, so Brown gets a no-decision. He'll take a 3.62 ERA and 1.20 WHIP into his next start versus the Texas Rangers.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown did not have his best stuff in Monday's 11-1 loss to the Mets. Brown pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits (including two home runs) and two walks with seven strikeouts. While this outing was one to forget, the 24-year-old has had a solid season overall, going 6-4 with a 3.78 ERA and a 10.00 K/9 rate. He will next face a tough matchup at the Dodgers, but this poor performance should not necessarily deter fantasy managers from starting him given how well he has done this season.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown's next start has been pushed back to Monday to face the New York Mets, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The Rookie of the Year candidate was originally supposed to pitch in Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, but manager Dusty Baker wants to give him some extra rest. Over 75.1 innings this season, Brown owns a 3.35 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 27.1% strikeout rate with six wins through 13 starts. Fantasy managers should start the 24-year-old every chance they get as he continues to provide value in all four categories.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown logged 10 strikeouts to beat Oakland 5-2 Friday. Brown had on-point accuracy, with 61 of his 88 pitches finding the strike zone. In addition, he had excellent control issuing only one walk throughout the game. The hurler allowed just four hits in the contest and improved his season record to 5-1 to go along with a 3.12 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 66 strikeouts. Looking ahead, Brown is scheduled next to pitch against Minnesota on Wednesday.

Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown was left with a no-decision despite the team's 3-2 win over the Oakland Athletics on Saturday. The 24-year-old struck out nine hitters, a career-best, and permitted a lone earned run across his six innings of work. The rookie has been up and down during his second campaign in the majors after attaining an otherworldly 0.89 ERA across 20 1/3 innings in 2022. Brown's spot in the rotation should be safe, though, with Luis Garcia (elbow) out for the season, bolstering Brown's rest-of-season fantasy outlook. The hard-throwing righty will carry a solid 3.20 ERA into his next scheduled start on Friday when he gets the fortune of facing these Athletics once again.

Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown is taking the hill for Friday's contest against Bryce Elder and the Atlanta Braves. The 24-year-old is in his second campaign as a big leaguer after throwing just over 20 innings in 2022. Through three starts, Brown's posted a 1.93 ERA with 17 strikeouts and a 1.02 WHIP with two victories across 18.2 innings. He was the Astros top prospect a season ago, and it seems like he's already adjusted to Major League hitters. Brown is a must-roster in dynasty leagues and redraft formats.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown looked terrific in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Minnesota Twins. The 24-year-old went seven innings, striking out seven batters while allowing one unearned run. Brown struggled in his first appearance of the year on April 3 versus the Detroit Tigers. However, he looked good in this one, so he's worth a look from fantasy managers, at least until Lance McCullers Jr. (elbow) is ready to return.

Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (back) said he is starting on Monday against the Detroit Tigers. General manager Dana Brown said that Brown was sitting at 94-98 mph with his fastball during his simulated game on Wednesday. "His cutter was back," Brown said. The 24-year-old has been dealing with lower-back tightness, but the injury wasn't serious and he'll be able to take his first turn in the rotation for the regular season. The team's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, should be rostered in all fantasy formats with a full-time role in Houston's starting rotation despite posting a 5.00 ERA in four Grapefruit League starts this spring. Brown has the potential to be a dominant young starter with premium velocity on his fastball and a power curveball.