Astros Notes: Brown, Hader, Bullpen
MLB Trade Rumors • • sports
Key Points:
- Astros ace Hunter Brown has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 shoulder strain and will be shut down from throwing for several weeks, with a reevaluation scheduled in two weeks; the injury is muscular with no structural damage.
- Brown's recovery will likely extend beyond a month, including bullpen sessions, live batting practice, and minor league rehab starts before returning to the rotation.
- The Astros plan to move to a six-man pitching rotation after their upcoming off day to manage workloads during a 13-game stretch, with Tatsuya Imai joining the top four starters alongside Mike Burrows, Cristian Javier, and Lance McCullers Jr.
- Closer Josh Hader, sidelined all season with biceps tendinitis, is expected to face hitters next week, while depth starter Nate Pearson will throw a simulated game soon, offering hope for bullpen reinforcement.
- In Hader's absence, the bullpen has struggled, with fill-in closer Bryan Abreu allowing runs in each of his first four appearances and losing his latest outing due to a walk-off home run.
