Houston Astros ace right-hander Hunter Brown is slated to return to the starting rotation Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers after missing 2 1/2 months with a shoulder strain.

Brown last pitched on March 31 when he was pulled after six innings and 78 pitches against the Boston Red Sox. He reported issues during a throwing session on April 3 and was placed on the 15-day injured list two days later. He is currently on the 60-day IL.

Brown was 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA in two starts before being shut down and going on the IL for the first time as a major leaguer.

Brown finished third in American League Cy Young balloting last season when he went 12-9 and set career bests of a 2.43 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. He struck out a career-high 206 in 185 1/3 innings and his victories were also a career best. He also made the AL All-Star team.

“We’re excited to have him back,” Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters prior to Sunday’s 4-0 loss to the Kansas City Royals. “We’re playing good baseball right now. Our rotation needs that boost. Our entire team needs him in our rotation. Just getting him back, he’s one of the best in the game.”

Brown made four minor league rehab starts across two levels and went 0-1 with a 1.88 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings.

Brown, 27, is 37-31 with a 3.44 ERA in 102 career appearances (94 games) since reaching the majors with Houston in 2022.

Brown could be facing former Astros star left-hander Framber Valdez, who is slated to start for the Tigers. Valdez spent eight seasons with Houston before leaving as a free agent in the offseason.

–Field Level Media