Home / Sports / Brown to Lead Astros' 2026 Starting Five
Brown to Lead Astros' 2026 Starting Five
24 Mar
Summary
- Hunter Brown named 2026 Opening Day starter after a stellar Cy Young finalist season.
- Mike Burrows and Cristian Javier also feature in the early rotation with strong spring performances.
- Injuries continue to be a concern as Lance McCullers Jr. completes the first rotation turn.
The Houston Astros have announced their starting rotation for the beginning of the 2026 season, with Hunter Brown tabbed as the Opening Day starter. Brown, who was a Cy Young finalist last season, will take the mound after a dominant 2025 campaign where he posted a 2.43 ERA.
Following Brown, Mike Burrows will start the second game, having impressed in spring training with a 1.50 ERA. Cristian Javier is slated to start the third game, returning after Tommy John surgery in 2024, and Lance McCullers Jr. will complete the initial rotation turn against Boston.
Houston also indicated that Spencer Arrighetti will begin the season at Triple-A. The team intends to utilize extra relievers to cover starting pitcher innings before transitioning to a six-man rotation later in April, acknowledging ongoing injury concerns.
