Hunter Brown, Astros tasked with slowing down Rays

Houston's Cristian Javier was reinstated from the 60-day injured list before the Astros opened a three-game series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays with a 3-1 loss on Friday.

Javier is the second of five Houston starting pitchers either already back in the fold or soon to rejoin the active roster.

Fellow right-hander Hunter Brown (1-0, 1.78 ERA), who returned last month, has the starting assignment for the Astros on Saturday night when they continue their series against the Rays, who have won nine games in a row.

Right-handers Lance McCullers Jr. (shoulder) and Ronel Blanco are set to make rehab starts on Tuesday, while right-hander Hayden Wesneski has a rehab start set for Sunday. Blanco and Wesneski are coming back from elbow surgery.

McCullers Jr., Blanco and Wesneski could be in line to return following the All-Star break, and reinforcements would be welcome for the Astros, who are four games under .500.

"You can never have enough pitching," manager Joe Espada said. "These guys are progressing well, and we're entering that time of the year where we're going to need all the help we can get.

"Those guys are coming along, and they're throwing the ball really well."

Brown did not factor into the decision of a 7-5, 10-inning victory over the Detroit Tigers on June 28 after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts over six innings. That marked his third start following a two-plus-month stint on the injured list (shoulder). Brown has a 2.45 ERA with 15 strikeouts across 14 2/3 innings in those outings.

He is 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA across six career appearances (four starts) against the Rays. He finished 1-1 with a 4.09 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay last season, including a home start on June 1, 2025, during which he threw six scoreless innings with five strikeouts, one hit and four walks allowed in the Astros' 1-0 victory.

Right-hander Drew Rasmussen (7-4, 2.45 ERA) is scheduled to start on Saturday for the Rays.

Rasmussen recorded his fifth consecutive quality start on June 28 against the Arizona Diamondbacks after working six shutout innings in a 5-1 victory. He was named American League Pitcher of the Month for June after finishing 3-2 with an 0.82 ERA across six starts.

Rasmussen is 2-2 with a 4.01 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against the Astros. In his previous outing against them, on Aug. 13, 2024, Rasmussen worked two scoreless innings and allowed two hits with three strikeouts in the Rays' 3-2 home loss.

Tampa Bay played its 14th game of a stretch of 23 games in 24 days on Friday, and manager Kevin Cash is mindful of providing his regulars rest when viable. Second baseman Richie Palacios had Friday off, and left fielder Chandler Simpson (hand) was a late scratch.

"We've got to mix and match and get some guys in there," said Cash, whose Rays completed a three-game series sweep on the road against the Royals before arriving in Houston. "Get some guys off their feet. It was hot in Kansas City, so watching guys' workload for sure."

--Field Level Media