Astros Hunter Brown Has Grade 2 Shoulder Strain

Here’s what that means for when fans may see him on a mound again.

Today, the Houston Astros announced SP Hunter Brown has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 shoulder strain.

Here is what that likely means:

Often times, a Grade 2 shoulder strain involves partial tearing of a muscle/muscles in the “shoulder stabilizers” – usually the rotator cuff.

Grade 2 sprains typically involve the posterior rotator cuff – they are usually caused by the deceleration process after the release of the baseball. These muscles keep the ball joint of your shoulder in place while throwing.

It can also involve the muscles of the shoulder blade.

Grade 2 strains are usually treated with rest and anti-inflammatories early (First 2 weeks), followed by range of motion exercises and band work (next two weeks), then increasing to light weights and movements (next 2 weeks).

Next would be starting a light throwing progression around week 6. For a Starting Pitcher like Brown, this is a 6 week injury in a perfect world, 8-10 week injury in a more realistic world.

As long as he gets through all his stages with no pain, he should be able to fully recover without surgery.