The Astros put Brown on the injured list on Sunday, April 5 with a shoulder strain.
Brown, the Astros' opening day starter, had only allowed a total of one earned run in his first two starts of the season with 17 strikeouts and six walks.
The move was retroactive to April 2, so it's possible he could have sustained the injury during a bullpen session between starts. Brown would have been lined up to make his next start on Sunday against the Athletics in Sacramento.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 31: A fan dressed as an Easter bunny reacts during the seventh inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Easter!
In addition to candy, the Phillies are hoping the bunny gives them a sweep as they conclude their series against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon.
They’ll hope that Taijuan Walker can do better in his second start of the season after a rough outing against the Nationals. He oddly has good career numbers at Coors Field.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 2: A general view of the Willis Tower formerly known as the Sears Tower and the rest of the Chicago city skyline during an afternoon MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field formerly known as Comiskey Park on May 2, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The last of our three-game series with the White Sox.
I am in Nagasaki, Japan today. This is going be one of those heavy days that we sometimes get on holidays. The US dropped an A-bomb on the city near the end of the Second World War. We have been to a few of these places that really are tough on the psyche and remind me how lucky I am.
A few years ago we visited one of the German concentration camps in Poland where thousands and thousands of people were killed. I had to walk away from the guide a few times, cause the stories were just too bleak. Then, last year, we were at the island of Gorée that many of the slaves coming to the ‘New World’ from Africa went through. There is way too much evil in the world.
Anyway, you can’t have fun on holiday all the time. I guess.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Tatsuya Imai #45 of the Houston Astros pitches against the Athletics in the bottom of the six inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on April 04, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The latest news and updates on the Houston Astros and from around MLB:
Astros ace Hunter Brown placed on the 15-day IL today:
Christian Walker is off to a torrid start. He currently is tied for the team lead in hits (11) and leads the team in doubles (6) and RBI (9). He hit his first HR of the season yesterday:
Christian Walker on his first home run of the season and the Astros patient hitting approach that led to 13 walks today pic.twitter.com/ttPsjBhgCw
Cam Smith hit an elevated 97.9 mph four-seamer from Luis Medina an estimated 402 feet to left-center field at 111.1 mph off the bat for his home run. It’s the third-hardest-hit ball Smith has put in play in the majors.
Mets’ OF Juan Soto is out of the lineup again. His MRI revealed a calf strain. His manager, Carlos Mendoza, addresses it here:
Carlos Mendoza elaborates on Juan Soto's recovery plan:
"Give it 48, 72 hours, see how he continues to progress. Again, I was surprised when I saw him today the way he was moving around, but they're tricky. We'll wait, we'll continue to call it day-by-day until we have to make a… pic.twitter.com/dxGDFJz6qd
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 31: Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda (8) watches his home run leave the park during a game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays on March 31, 2026 at American Family Field, in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A cyclist rides past Hogan's Hangout, a restaurant owned by Terry Bollea, best known as Hulk Hogan, who died in Clearwater, Florida, on July, 24, 2025. Hulk Hogan, the 1980s icon of professional wrestling who helped propel the low-budget spectacle into the global spotlight and parlayed his prowess in the ring into pop culture stardom, died Thursday. He was 71. Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was pronounced dead at a Florida hospital after emergency personnel responded to a cardiac arrest call at his home in Clearwater, police said. (Photo by Thomas Simonetti / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS SIMONETTI/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
First Chuck: 1:10 PM CDT (click here each week for a new anthem!)
In seeing the 21 MLB ballparks I’ve been to thus far, I’ve traversed a lot of territory. Besides ranking the yards, it has given me an opportunity to think about whether I could live in different parts of these United States.
There are some locales I could never tolerate. Houston’s humidity would melt me, as would the dryer heat of Arlington. Even St. Louis would be too soggy.
I wouldn’t last a week in NYC—too many people too close together. I’d give a little more rope to LA because I love movies—but the constant crush of citizens would be too much.
Of course, some spots I’ve really enjoyed. Colorado is a veritable paradise for someone who hates humidity, likes outdoor activities, and doesn’t mind prolonged stretches of bad baseball. Seattle’s intriguing mix of extremely fun stadium experience, coastal locale, and every eatery serving biscuits and gravy (my favorite breakfast fare) would perhaps satiate me.
But of all the places I’ve baseball-tripped to, the one (at least so far) that I’d choose to live in if wanting a change from the Land of 10,000 Lakes: St. Petersburg, home of today’s MN Twins opponent Tampa Bay Rays.
Three reasons for this seemingly odd choice (considering I might choose literal purgatory over the Orlando area):
St. Pete isn’t nearly as hot or humid as central Florida. It gets a constant cool breeze from the ocean. In the dead of summer a few years ago, my Mom and I walked for hours along the bay and it was wonderful!
Tropicana Fieldisn’t that bad! Yes, it is a dome and yes it is utilitarian. But the people are friendly, the team somehow finds a way to be competitive despite spending no money, and it has a “mid-2000s Metrodome” feel where everyone is there to watch the ballgame instead of schmooze on a roof deck.
Granted, the problem with Rays Baseball is that while the location would be perfect for me, it is terrible for everyone else. St. Pete got the ballpark, but all the people are in Tampa Bay Proper across the bay and don’t want to drive across the long bridge to go to games. To be honest, I was somewhat surprised that the Trop got fixed up and will host further ballgames at all.
If my growing weariness of MN winters continues, perhaps someday I’ll turn into a beach bum and retire to Clearwater/St. Pete. But not today. For now, my home remains the site of today’s Twins/Rays clash.
(I’m often out walking or busy right up ‘til first pitch and last-minute lineup inputs stress me out—so, a clickety-click above will give you the pecking orders provided to the robotscyborgs Men in Blue)
After clinching a series win yesterday, Munetaka Murakami, Seranthony Domínguez and the White Sox will try to achieve a home opening series sweep for the first time in 22 years. | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Spread the word — the White Sox are on a winning streak!
Just when it looked like things were as bad as ever or even worse, the Sox have begun to show some life as they’ve taken their season back home to Chicago. Now, after back-to-back wins over the defending American League champions, they’re on the precipice of something unthinkable: a sweep.
In my hurried research, the last instance I could find of the Sox sweeping their first series at home came all the way back in 2004, when they took three straight from Kansas City in Ozzie Guillén’s managerial debut at then-U.S. Cellular Field. The winning pitchers in that series? Esteban Loaiza, Jon Adkins and Dámaso Marte. Technically, they did sweep their opening series in 2018, though that was just two games, also against Kansas City — and on the road.
The 2004 home opener was the first one I ever attended in person, and I can still picture my view from a far upper right-field corner as chants of “Ozzie! Ozzie!” rang through the stadium. Given that the loudest cheer of this past Friday’s opener was reserved for the surprise announcement of Ozzie’s forthcoming jersey retirement ceremony, this is as fitting of a time as ever to repeat the other part of history from that series.
Just for the sake of Remembering Some Guys, here are the lineups from the third game in that 2004 opening series, which the Sox took home 6-5 in 10 innings to complete the sweep.
What a time to be alive. Here’s the lineup that they’ll use today to try to reach the same end.
Tanner Murray will be making his big league debut at shortstop after the team announced his call-up this morning, with outfielder Everson Pereira hitting the IL due to a left ankle sprain. Murray was acquired alongside Pereira from Tampa Bay last November in exchange for Yoendrys Gómez and Steven Wilson. Murray swung the bat well in Arizona this spring, slugging .692 with three walks and just two strikeouts in 27 trips to the plate. He’s continued to rake in Charlotte, notching two homers, a double and six walks through six games.
Murray’s start will give Colson Montgomery a day off, and Derek Hill makes his first start in the outfield after appearing in five of the first eight games as a late substitution. Call it a reward for Friday’s fantastic execution of a two-out bunt to save the game.
The main arsenal change that Davis Martin brings back with him is a new sinker that serves as his primary fastball against lefties and helps generate all those ground balls. In Spring Training, he employed two distinct arsenals. He comes at lefties with the sinker and a low-80s sweeper, a classic ground ball combination of sinkers in on the hands with sweepers breaking off the outer edge of the plate. Against righties he pairs his traditional four-seamer with a 90 mph slider that has just enough break to be distinct from a cutter. That’s when he uses the changeup as an out pitch, typically employing it with one or two strikes and an aggressive hitter.
Here’s the lineup John Schneider’s Blue Jays will be sending at Davis Martin this afternoon:
Personally, I’d be pretty tired of having to pitch to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. already. Let’s get the win and gear up for Baltimore’s trip into town this week.
First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. CT, and will be available on TV via CHSN and radio via WMVP AM 1000.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 03: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers retires Brady House #12 of the Washington Nationals and throws to first base to turn a double play against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Nationals Park on April 3, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Nats have been unable to stop the Dodgers lineup so far this series. They will get one more opportunity to solve the puzzle that is the Dodgers lineup this afternoon. Due to weather, the game will be delayed, but the forecast should clear up later in the afternoon.
Despite his struggles, Blake Butera is sticking with James Wood in the leadoff spot. Interestingly, Nasim Nunez will be in the 2 hole. Joey Wiemer will be back in the lineup, with Blake Butera wanting a spark from his team. CJ Abrams will be in the 6 hole, even though he is red hot. Keibert Ruiz and Jose Tena are also in the lineup. Brady House has the day off. Foster Griffin, the crafty lefty, will have his hands full with this Dodgers lineup.
happy anniversary of that one clip of the easter bunny wrecking teddy to all who celebrate
Due to injuries, matchups and off days, this Dodgers lineup is not quite as intimidating. However, it still has plenty of thump with Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and the red hot Andy Pages. Former Nat Alex Call will get his second straight start of the series. We will be seeing Santiago Espinal and Dalton Rushing for the first time in this series. The enigmatic Roki Sasaki will be on the mound for the Dodgers. He will be interesting to watch.
The last couple games have been rough, but a win today would help the Nats get back on track. They have really had to run the gauntlet so far, but the schedule lightens up after this. 4-5 is much more manageable than 3-6, so that should be the goal today. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 03: Jack Leiter #22 of the Texas Rangers takes the field prior to the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
FORT MYERS, FL - MARCH 27: A person dressed as the Easter Bunny walks on the field prior to the spring training game between the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park on March 27, 2016 in Fort Myers, Florida. The Red Sox defeated the Phillies 5-1. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) | Getty Images
He lays huge eggs and bounds around the garden hiding them while trumpeting loudly and splashing in the water from the nearby sprinkler. Yes he’s the famous and beloved Easter Elephant and the A’s are but 2-6 as the calendar hits his special day.
Let’s go inside a couple numbers to see why or how the A’s have stumbled so mightily out of the gate. Some primary culprits include…
Jacob Wilson
It’s not often a player ranks in the 1st percentile in 4 different Statcast categories out of the 13 listed, but Fidgety Guy is an extremist. As in last season his batting average was extremely high but this year his slash line is a putrid .212/.212/.303 for a reason.
It’s not necessarily alarming for Wilson to be in the 1st percentile for “bat speed” as he ranked exactly there in his superb 2025 rookie season. Wilson’s “barrel rate” is also 1st percentile — last year it was 6th percentile. What’s concerning is that his “chase rate” was 22nd percentile last season and so far this year it’s … 1st percentile. And then there’s “BB percentage”. Hard to get lower than 0%, which lands Wilson in the 1st percentile in yet another category.
Wilson is going out of the strike zone more than anyone in the league and it’s a big part of why his “whiff %” is down to the 79th percentile. That may sound good but last year it was truly elite: 99th percentile. The cure for ails Wilson is pretty straight-forward: he needs to stop swinging at pitches out of the strike zone at unparalleled rates. It is making him an easy out leading to a .515 OPS.
If I had to pick a single phrase to describe what the A’s mantra should be moving forward, it would be “swing decisions” and it starts with the A’s shortstop.
Luis Morales
I am dead set against fast, knee-jerk reactions to small samples as not only is it a statistically flawed way to react to numbers it risks creating performance issues with peers who press when faced with a reality that a few plate appearances or innings can define their status.
But what we are seeing with Luis Morales is not new: he simply does not currently have the ability to throw the ball where he wants to, leading to a lot of walks, high pitch count innings, hanging sliders and centered fastballs that are crushed, and an alarming amount of hard contact overall. We saw it throughout spring training and nothing shifted in his first 2 starts of the regular season.
Morales is a “stuff” guy with his 96.4 MPH fastball and crackling slider. So it’s disconcerting to see some of his more negative stats in the context of him boasting stuff that is raw but supposedly hard to hit.
After 2 starts Morales ranks in just the 32nd percentile in average exit velocity against. His “whiff rate” is in just the 12th percentile, leading to merely an 11th percentile K rate, and he is in only the 18th percentile in preventing hitters from barreling him up.
According to Fangraphs here’s how bad a start Morales is off to: last year his fastball value was -0.7 but so far this season it’s -4.9. His slider showed up at +1.5 last year but is off to a -2.3 start in 2026. His changeup is even down from +1.8 to -0.3. Much of this can reasonably be attributed to the small sample of 2025 and the tiny sample of 2026, but the trends are clear and probably not noise — they match the eyeballs, not just the results.
I think the A’s should, for the sake of both Morales and the team, option him to AAA to refine his command and approach, basically to try to gain some at all. He is not ready for the big leagues despite his “big arm” and it is not serving anyone but opposing hitters to have him continue to make big league starts right now.
I would option him and call up a reliever until Morales’ next start comes up on Friday, then option a reliever (be it same one or one of Michael Kelly and Elvis Alvarado) and call up Kade Morris to start Friday’s game. Morris doesn’t have Morales’ “stuff” but what he has is the ability to command the stuff he does have. He throws a lot of strikes, keeps the ball on the ground well, can change speeds with his fastball, slider, changeup, slow curve combination, and is far more polished.
Morris has done something few can boast: he has pitched well in the PCL where balls fly and ERAs soar. In his last 5 starts (September, 2025 and 2 starts in 2026) his AAA line is: 3-0, 1.93 ERA, 28 IP, 21 hits, 10 BB, 29 K. He had just over a 50% ground ball rate at AAA last season and is at 60% to start 2026.
Just getting Wilson to control the strike zone a tad and slotting in Morris to give Morales the AAA time he needs would improve the lineup and rotation significantly overnight. Calling up Wander Suero (who impressed me in spring training and is off to a solid start at AAA) and/or Jack Perkins to fortify the bullpen could help too.
We’re not talking about “wholesale changes” after 8 games but we are talking about essential tweaks for a team that opened the season with a flawed roster and is paying the price in spades. I would like to think that even if his bonnet is a bit tight around his large ears, the Easter Elephant would agree that these changes are needed.
BOSTON - APRIL 20: Boston Red Sox fan Kelly Archy of Norwood, Massachusetts cheers on her team against the Toronto Blue Jays and celebrates Easter Sunday wearing bunny ears on April 20, 2003 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ok, so the winning streak thing didn’t work out yesterday. So today let’s just hope that Ranger Suárez can figure it out on the mound. First pitch at 1:35 PM on NESN.
KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 30: A high view as Kris Bubic #50 of the Kansas City Royals pitches in the fourth inning of the Royals home opener against the Minnesota Twins on March 30, 2026 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Happy Easter to all who celebrate! The Kansas City Royals have a chance to take the series this afternoon against a really good Brewers ballclub. Early offense propelled the Brewers to a 5-2 win yesterday in game one of the doubleheader, while a big 6th inning led the Royals to an 8-2 victory in the nightcap, to split said doubleheader.
The Royals currently sit at 4-4 on the season, with a 3-2 homestand so far, so on top of trying to make this a winning series, a win today would make it a winning homestand. They have a quick three game series in Cleveland starting tomorrow, before coming right back home for a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox.
Last Easter, the Royals were in Detroit, and Tarik Skubal was the starting pitcher, a game the Royals won 4-3 in extra innings, to wrap up a dreadful road trip, and avoid being swept in a four-game series vs the Tigers.
Kris Bubic goes today for the Royals. The left-hander had a great start in the home opener Monday against the Twins. Bubic went 6 innings, striking out four, giving up just one run (a solo homer), and walking three.
Bubic did start in Milwaukee last season, going 6 innings, giving up 3 hits, 2 walks, striking out 8 batters, while giving up zero runs.
With the Brewers throwing a left hander today as well, the Royals are opting for a more right-handed heavy lineup. Here are the starters behind Bubic.
Also, today the Royals will be wearing a different uniform at home, for the first time since 2008.
As pictured, the Royals will wear their royal blue jerseys with KANSAS CITY across the chest for today’s game. First time wearing royal blue at home since 2008.
It’s been one of the road jerseys (and still is), but the team will also wear them at home for select games this year. https://t.co/d6uF0pBkIc
As for the Brewers, they have been the model of consistency the last decade in baseball. For a small market team, they always seem to be winning lots of games and in the playoffs. Here is their lineup today behind Kyle Harrison.
Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle has been a man on fire, slashing .333/.412/.500 with a 162 wRC+ through his first eight big-league games.
He stands a good chance of doling out more damage on Sunday against St. Louis Cardinals starter Kyle Leahy, who transitioned to the rotation and allowed four runs on eight hits with a sole strikeout in his season debut.
Leahy has noticeable splits, posting a 1.50 WHIP and .342 wOBA to left-handed bats. All four of McGonigle’s extra-base hits this season have come against RHP, and he ranks in the Top 10% in expected slugging percentage, so it's wheels up yet again for the precocious infielder.
Alec Burleson Over 1.5 total bases (+105)
Keider Montero makes his 2026 debut after Justin Verlander was placed on the injured list with a hip injury.
Similar to Leahy, Montero also struggles against left-handed hitters, posting a 5.66 FIP and 1.41 WHIP for his career. The Cardinals don’t have many hitters poised to make Montero pay (80 wRC+ against RHP), but Alec Burleson is one exception.
The former East Carolina product slashes .277/.333/.446 with a 117 wRC+ against RHP. Montero's never gotten him out, either, as he's gone 2-for-2 with a walk in prior at-bats facing Montero.
Apart from that small sample, Burleson’s swinging a hot bat, ranking in the 88th percentile or better in xwOBA, xBA, and xSLG. It won’t hurt to have winds of 11-15 mph blowing out to left field, either.
Kerry Carpenter Over 1.5 total bases (+130)
Kerry Carpenter would be a Hall of Famer if he only faced right-handed pitching every day. In over 1,000 career at-bats against RHP, he’s slashing .275/.328/.529 with a 135 wRC+.
He’s off to a bit of a slow start, going 5-for-29 at the dish, but that leads to a better price on his prop lines this Easter.
Leahy’s offerings did not look MLB-caliber in his debut, posting a measly 92 Stuff+. His fastball (79) dragged that number down, and he throws it nearly 40% of the time to lefties.
Carpenter demolishes four-seamers (157 wRC+) and right-handers alike, so it’s an ideal matchup.
How to watch Cardinals vs Tigers and game info
Location
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Date
Sunday, April 5, 2026
First pitch
7:20 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Mar 31, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (54) is greeted in the dugout at the end of the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: John Froschauer-Imagn Images | John Froschauer-Imagn Images
The Yankees won the longest nine-inning game of the young season last night, a three-hour, 49-minute slugfest that put them up two games to none in this weekend series against the Marlins. Should fatigue be setting in, the club has the right starter on the mound to go for the sweep, with Max Fried toeing the slab in the boogie down Bronx.
What more needs to be said about Fried? He has yet to let a man cross home plate after two starts to open the year, and while his strikeout totals won’t raise many eyebrows, the results have so far spoken for themselves. A .147 BABIP against probably won’t last all season, no matter how many groundballs are hit to Ryan McMahon, but if Fried wants to smother his opponent again today, I’m sure no nerds will be too worked up about it — signed, one of said nerds.
Chris Paddack is expected* to counter for the Marlins. He’s a guy who six years ago I thought would take baseball by storm. He hasn’t exactly done that, signed by Miami to balance some veteran depth in a rotation that had some upside, but after getting knocked around by the White Sox in his first outing of the year maybe it’s time to wonder whether that depth will be all that helpful. This will be his fifth career start against the Yankees and he has not fooled them, with an ERA over eight and an OPS allowed above .900 so far. If the Yankees can jump on a pitcher they’ve beaten up before, we could have a quick one on our hands.
*Note that we say “expected” now because there is more recent, post-delay news that the Marlins will instead start Pete Fairbanks as an opener rather than Paddack from the jump. But he will still see work as the “bulk guy.” The former Rays closer Fairbanks has pitched three times this year, recording two saves and not allowing a run while fanning five and only allowing a single hit. But he should be gone after the first, especially since this is being done to help his family out, as his wife, Lydia, is pregnant and scheduled to be induced tomorrow morning, so the sooner Pete can get home, the better.
Trent Grisham brings his .406 OBP — and I gotta say, I’m impressed even in a limited sample that he’s been able to set the table that well — into his customary leadoff spot, and indeed the lineup is starting to look pretty consistent. As long as the club keeps winning, expect the lineup to run the course.
Be warned that the tarp is already on the field as of the time we’re writing this, so we’re in for a delay.
As far as viewing the game goes, it’s as easy as can be, with both audio and television broadcasts just the same as they were yesterday. Go Yankees, go baseball.
As of 3:45 PM, we do remain optimistic of playing today’s game and will continue to provide updates as they are received. https://t.co/PmEmbeQmbi
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 31: Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros reacts in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Daikin Park on March 31, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today, the Houston Astros announced they have placed SP Hunter Brown on the 15-day IL due to a right shoulder strain.
Brown, now the staff ace, is 1-0 after two starts with an 0.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. He has allowed only 1 run in 10.2 IP and has struck out 17.
Astros manager Joe Espada said Hunter Brown felt something in his shoulder during his throwing program on Friday. He had some imaging done here in Sacramento and flew back to Houston to be seen by team doctors.
His injury comes at a time when fellow SP Cristian Javier is having significant struggles with command. Javier sports a 12.96 ERA after two starts in which he has allowed 10 hits and 9 walks in just 8.1 innings. He has struck out only 3.
Reliever Christian Roa has been recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land to fill the roster spot opened by Brown’s injury.