Astros' Brandon Walter: Moved to 60-day injured list
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The Astros transferred Walter (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Walter suffered a setback Monday in his recovery from left elbow inflammation and was shut down from throwing. He'll now be ineligible to return until Sept. 23, making a regular-season return uncertain. The 28-year-old has a 3.35 ERA in 53.2 big-league innings this season.
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Astros' Brandon Walter: Suffers setback with elbow
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The Astros announced Monday that Walter has shut down from throwing following a recurrence of left elbow inflammation, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Walter initially went on the 15-day injured list July 25, and after he resumed playing catch earlier this month, he encountered a setback. It's not clear at this point how long he might be shut down, but at this stage of the season, Walter's availability down the stretch is in question. He's been excellent for Houston in 2025, collecting a 3.35 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 52:4 K:BB in 53.2 innings.
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Astros' Brandon Walter: Nearing mound work
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Walter (elbow) resumed playing catch Tuesday, and Astros manager Joe Espada relayed Sunday that he could throw off a mound in "the next few days," Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Walter shouldn't be in line for an extended stay on the injured list given that he was able to start throwing again five days after being shelved with elbow inflammation. He still appears likely to be out for longer than the minimum 15 days, however. Through nine starts with Houston this season, the southpaw owns a 3.35 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 52:4 K:BB in 53.2 innings, but in spite of his impressive numbers, he may be on the outside looking in for a rotation spot upon his return. Spencer Arrighetti (thumb), Cristian Javier (elbow) and Luis Garcia (elbow) are all in the midst of rehab assignments and could beat Walter back from the IL.
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Astros' Brandon Walter: Sharp in no-decision
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Walter did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out five.
Walter got off to an inauspicious start Wednesday, allowing a home run to Ketel Marte on his first pitch of the game. However, the damage would stop there, as the left-hander held the D-Backs scoreless over his final six innings while allowing just three more hits. While he doesn't have a win since June 27, Walter has delivered three consecutive quality starts, allowing just four runs over 19 innings in that span. His ERA is down to 3.35 with a 0.93 WHIP and an impressive 52:4 K:BB across nine starts (53.2 innings) this season. Walter is currently in line to face the Nationals at home in his next outing.
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Astros' Brandon Walter: Yields one run in loss
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Walter (1-3) allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out seven over six innings to take the loss Friday versus the Mariners.
Walter put together his fifth quality start, but he was once again done in by a lack of run support. He's now at a 3.66 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 47:3 K:BB through 46.2 innings over eight starts this season. His strong performance could lead to a tough decision for the Astros' management when the team's rotation is closer to full strength, as Walter has turned some heads during this stint in the majors. He's projected to make his next start at Arizona as Houston operates with a five-man rotation while waiting for some injured pitchers to complete rehab assignments.
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Astros' Brandon Walter: Tough-luck loss in quality start
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Walter (1-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Guardians, giving up two runs on two hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out seven.
Walter continues to provide length for the Astros, having now thrown at least five innings in each of his first seven starts in 2025. The 28-year-old southpaw also tallied 16 whiffs Wednesday, and he's now posted four quality starts for the year. Walter has logged a 3.98 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a pristine 40:2 K:BB through his first 40.2 frames prior to the All-Star break, and he should continue to hold down a major-league roster spot to help eat innings for Houston's injury-riddled rotation.
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Astros' Brandon Walter: Gives up five runs in no-decision
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Walter did not factor into Thursday's decision against the Rockies, allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out three across five innings. He did not issue a walk.
Walter entered Thursday's game with three quality starts over his last four outings, but he wasn't able to replicate that success in Colorado. He generated 13 whiffs on 91 pitches (62 strikes) but gave up at least one run in three of the five innings he pitched and avoided the loss only thanks to strong run support. Walter is now at a 4.15 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 33:2 K:BB over 34.2 innings this season, and he's lined up to face the Guardians at home next week.
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Astros' Brandon Walter: Bounces back with first win
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Walter (1-1) allowed a run on five hits and struck out five without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Friday.
Walter limited the damage to a solo home run by Nico Hoerner in the fifth inning. This was his third quality start in five outings this season, and it was a good bounce-back effort after he was tagged for seven runs over six innings by the Angels last Saturday. Walter is now at a 3.34 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 30:2 K:BB over 29.2 innings. Lance McCullers (foot) will return Saturday, and it's unclear if Walter will stay in the rotation, but he's pitched better than Ryan Gusto if the decision comes down purely to numbers. Walter would be lined up for a road start in Colorado next week if he keeps his place in the rotation.
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Astros' Brandon Walter: Hit hard by Angels
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Walter (0-1) allowed seven runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Angels.
Walter had been excellent with a pair of quality starts in his previous two outings, but he didn't have the same success Saturday. He threw 66 of 99 pitches for strikes, but he gave up a pair of two-run home runs that accounted for most of the damage on his line. Even with the poor outing, Walter has a 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 25:2 K:BB over 23.2 innings through four MLB starts this year. The 28-year-old showed impressive control with a 49:7 K:BB over 47.2 innings with Triple-A Sugar Land after missing all of 2024 due to a shoulder injury. Walter is tentatively projected for a tough home start versus the Cubs in his next outing, and his place in the rotation is likely safe for as long as both of Lance McCullers (foot) and Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) are on the injured list.
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Astros' Brandon Walter: Remains in rotation
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Walter is slated to start Sunday's game against the Twins in Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
As expected, Walter will receive a second straight turn through Houston's six-man rotation while the Astros remain short on healthy arms with six starting pitchers currently residing on the injured list. Only one of those six injured pitchers (J.P. France) has resumed facing hitters at this point, so Walter could be in store for an extended run in the rotation. He's pitched well in both of his two starts with Houston this season, striking out five over five shutout innings May 20 at Tampa Bay and recording another five strikeouts over six innings of two-run ball this past Sunday in Cleveland. The 28-year-old southpaw has enjoyed a similar level of success at Triple-A Sugar Land, where he compiled a 2.08 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 49:7 K:BB in 47.2 innings prior to getting called up last week.
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Astros' Brandon Walter: Earns quality start in no-decision
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Walter allowed two runs on six hits while striking out five across six innings, but he did not factor into Sunday's decision against the Guardians. He did not issue a walk.
Walter was promoted from Triple-A Sugar Land to make his second major-league start of the season. He put the Astros behind after yielding a two-run homer to Bo Naylor in the second, but Walter kept the Guardians off the board the rest of the way and retired the last 10 batters he faced. Per Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, the Astros plan on using a six-man rotation during their stretch of 13 straight games, which puts Walter in line to make his next start against the Twins at home next weekend.
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Astros' Brandon Walter: Optioned after strong outing
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The Astros optioned Walter to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Walters spun five scoreless frames and struck out five in a start Tuesday versus the Rays, but he nonetheless finds himself back in the minors a day later. The left-hander has likely earned future starts at some point later this season.
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Astros' Brandon Walter: Tosses five scoreless innings
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Walter did not factor into the decision against the Rays on Tuesday, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out five across five scoreless innings.
Walter was called up from Triple-A ahead of Tuesday's start after posting a 2.27 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 34:7 K:BB across 35.2 innings with Sugar Land. He faced four batters or fewer in all five innings he pitched and was in position for the win, but he came away with the no-decision after the Rays scored two runs in the eighth inning. It was the first major-league start of Walter's career, and he'll likely be in the Astros' rotation for as long as Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) is on the injured list. Walter's next start is tentatively slated for this weekend at home against the Mariners.
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Astros' Brandon Walter: Named Tuesday's starter
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Walter will start Tuesday's game against the Rays, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Walter was rumored to be in the mix for a promotion, and the team has since confirmed his status as Tuesday's starting pitcher. It remains to be seen whether the 28-year-old will be able to stick around for another turn through the rotation given the number of injuries to the team's starting pitching staff. Walter has a 1.23 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 22:1 K:BB over his last 22 innings at Triple-A, although he hasn't logged five-plus innings in an appearance since logging six innings May 3.
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Red Sox's Brandon Walter: Shut down with shoulder strain
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Walter will begin the season on the injured list due to a strained left shoulder, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Walter will remain in Fort Myers for extended spring training as he works his way back from his injury. The 27-year-old southpaw will head to Triple-A Worcester once he's healthy and could contribute out of the Red Sox's bullpen at some point in 2024.
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Red Sox's Brandon Walter: Impresses Tuesday
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Walter struck out two over two hitless and scoreless innings in Tuesday's spring game against St. Louis.
Walter was impressive in his Grapefruit League debut, getting all six batters out, with one ball leaving the infield. He followed starter Kutter Crawford, pitching the third and fourth innings. The left-handed Walter had a rough introduction to the majors in 2023, charged with 16 earned runs on 32 hits and seven walks over 23 innings. That experience shaped his offseason preparations, per Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe. "I was able to reflect on it and see why I wasn't successful," Walter said. "I'm so used to being successful in the minor leagues. Making adjustments on the fly is something I need to improve on. I focused on attacking with all my pitches and throwing strikes. I was too consumed with velocity instead of doing what I do best." The 27-year-old Walter is expected to be part of the rotation at Triple-A Worcester to open the 2024 season.
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Red Sox's Brandon Walter: Optioned to Triple-A
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Walter was optioned Friday to Triple-A Worcester, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Walter worked three scoreless innings of relief Thursday against the Yankees and wasn't going to be available for the next few days. Chris Murphy will fill the vacant spot in Boston's bullpen ahead of Friday night's series opener in Toronto.
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Red Sox's Brandon Walter: Recalled from Worcester
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Boston recalled Walter from Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Enmanuel Valdez is the other September call-up for the Red Sox. The 26-year-old Walter holds a 3.07 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB through 14.2 relief innings in the majors this season.
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Red Sox's Brandon Walter: Demoted to Triple-A
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The Red Sox optioned Walter to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
After being called up from Worcester on July 4, Walter worked exclusively as a reliever for Boston, covering eight innings over five appearances while allowing three runs (two earned) on 11 hits and one walk. He'll likely get stretched back out and transition into a starting role as he returns to Worcester.
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Red Sox's Brandon Walter: Could return to Boston
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Walter is a candidate to be added to Boston's active roster this week, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
The Red Sox have a rotation crunch this coming week after Garrett Whitlock left Sunday's start with elbow tightness. That injury along with the expected paternity leave of James Paxton could result in Walter returning to the majors. The left-hander made a spot start for Boston on June 22 and most recently pitched two innings June 30 for Triple-A Worcester.
