Houston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier has been scratched from Sunday's start against the host Washington Nationals due to neck discomfort.

Fellow right-hander Hunter Brown will start in his place in the rubber match of the three-game series.

Javier, 27, owns a 2-0 record with a 1.54 ERA while working at least five innings in all four starts this season. He has allowed no more than two earned runs in each of those starts.

Brown, 25, is 0-3 with a 10.54 ERA in four starts this season. He won his lone career start against Washington on June 13, 2023, after scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings.