Brown yielded four runs on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings during Monday's loss to Detroit. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Brown gave up two runs through four frames before running into trouble in the fifth. After striking out the first two batters of the inning, he put the next four Tigers on base, including three walks. His fastball topped out at 98.5 mph and he forced eight swinging strikes. Brown will look for better command and results in his next outing, which is currently scheduled for this weekend in Minnesota.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters that the team is hoping Brown will be able to throw between 85 and 90 pitches and/or go five innings for Monday's start against the Tigers, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown was shut down this spring with lower-back tightness and is making his first start of the season, so it's not a surprise that he'll be limited in Monday's start. Even with the restrictions he has a chance to be a solid contributor against a Detroit lineup with plenty of holes that was overmatched against the Tampa Bay staff over the weekend.

Brown (back) will start for the Astros on Monday against the Tigers, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown came down with some lower-back tightness toward the end of spring training, but he got through a simulated outing Wednesday without issue and is ready to take his place in Houston's season-opening rotation. The 24-year-old posted a 0.89 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 20.1 frames during his first taste of the big leagues last year, and he skyrocketed up fantasy draft boards all March.

Brown (back) is on track to be part of the Astros' season-opening starting rotation, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown was scratched from a scheduled Grapefruit League start last week after experiencing lower-back tightness while doing some agility drills in camp, but he made it through a bullpen session Sunday without issue and is slated to throw a simulated game Wednesday. The 24-year-old right-hander posted a 0.89 ERA with 22 strikeouts over his first 20.1 major-league innings last year, working mostly in relief. He holds considerable fantasy upside in 2023 with a relatively locked-in starting role for the defending World Series champs.

Brown (back) felt good after throwing a 25-pitch bullpen session Sunday and is expected to throw a simulated game this week, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Assuming everything goes well during the simulated game this week, the 24-year-old should be good to go for Houston's first turn through the starting rotation. Brown could line up to start the Astros' home opener versus the Tigers on April 3.

Brown (back) will throw a bullpen prior to Sunday's Grapefruit League finale, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown is recovering from lower-back tightness, but he has been able to play catch on flat ground and now will get a chance to throw off the mound Sunday. The right-hander could open the season on the injured list, but there's some positive momentum that suggests he can begin the year as a member of the Houston rotation.

Brown (back) played catch without issue Friday in Astros camp, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Astros manager Dusty Baker said after the flat-ground workout that Brown is "feeling a lot better" as he recovers from a bout of lower-back tightness. It sounds like the 24-year-old right-hander might be able to open the 2023 regular season as the No. 5 starter for Houston, but he does have some more hurdles to clear before camp breaks.

Brown (back) did not throw Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It might have just been another rest day for Brown's lower-back tightness, which caused him to miss a scheduled Grapefruit League start Wednesday against the Mets. Astros manager Dusty Baker offered no update on the status of the 24-year-old right-hander, who had been cruising toward the final spot in Houston's Opening Day rotation before the injury surfaced.

Brown (back) was scratched from his Grapefruit League start Wednesday against the Mets as a precaution, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown experienced some lower-back tightness while doing agility drills Tuesday in Astros camp and the team didn't want to risk an aggravation. The talented 24-year-old right-hander could perhaps fit in one final exhibition outing as he prepares to open the 2023 season as the No. 5 starter in Houston. There doesn't seem to be any current worry about an IL stint.

Brown was scratched from his Grapefruit League start against the Mets on Wednesday due to lower-back tightness, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old is penciled in as Houston's No. 5 starter to begin the season, but he won't make what was supposed to be his final start of spring training Wednesday due to the back issue. Brown's availability for the Opening Day rotation is now in question, which is another potential blow to a Houston rotation that is already starting the campaign without Lance McCullers (forearm).