Lance McCullers Jr. Allows One Run In Return
Lance McCullers Jr. pitched 4 1/3 innings on Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) against the Rangers in his return to the rotation. McCullers (3-1) pitched for the first time since May 15 after being on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. The 27-year-old wasn't exactly sharp out of the gate, walking three batters in his start, but he was able to get through the outing fairly unscathed. Injuries have hampered McCullers' ability to contribute the past few seasons, and he will be tough to trust in fantasy until he can get his pitch count up moving forward.
Source: Houston Astros
Houston Astros starter Source: Houston Astros
Lance McCullers Jr. Lasts 3 2/3 Innings In Season Debut
Lance McCullers Jr. did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox. The former No. 41 overall pick allowed three hits, struck out four, issued three free passes, and hit one batter over 3 2/3 innings (87 pitches, 51 strikes). McCullers Jr. had a clean third inning where he retired the side in order, though he otherwise had runners crowding the base paths. Fortunately, he escaped trouble until he was pulled in the fourth. It wasn't a very efficient outing, but overall solid considering the last time he pitched in live action was the 2022 World Series. The 31-year-old touched 93.8 MPH with his sinker on a few occasions and picked up the second-most swings-and-misses of all pitchers in the contest (six). If the Astros stick to a five-man rotation, McCullers Jr. would pitch again next weekend against the Cincinnati Reds, though that isn't a guarantee.
Source: ESPN
Houston Astros starting pitcher Source: ESPN
Lance McCullers Jr. To Make Season Debut On Sunday Against White Sox
Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) will make his 2025 season debut on Sunday in Chicago against the White Sox, according to the Houston Chronicle's Matt Kawahara. It's an excellent matchup for his season debut, but fantasy managers need to remember that this will be McCullers' first big-league start since the World Series in 2022. The 31-year-old veteran started facing live hitters back in February and posted a 2.84 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 16 strikeouts and six walks in four minor-league rehab starts over 12 2/3 innings with Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land. He threw five scoreless innings over 71 pitches in his final rehab start last Saturday, so he should be built up to go fairly deep this weekend. McCullers was fantasy relevant in all leagues before his forearm injuries set in, but his upside could be limited as the Astros handle him carefully.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Houston Astros right-hander Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Lance McCullers Jr. Tosses Four Shutout Innings In Rehab Start
Lance McCullers Jr. (elbow) was impressive on the mound during his rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday. The right-hander struck over five batters over four shutout innings during this outing. McCullers allowed one hit and one walk, but was perfect outside of that. He threw 42 of his 61 pitches for strikes and appears to be headed in the right direction. The expectation is that McCullers will probably need to make at least one more rehab start. Hopefully, McCullers can get back on the big league mound by the end of April.
Source: Lorenzo Delgado
Houston Astros starting pitcher Source: Lorenzo Delgado
Lance McCullers Jr. Throws Two Innings In First Rehab Start
Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) allowed two earned runs and struck out three batters in his two innings of work in his first minor-league rehab start on Sunday at Triple-A Sugar Land. McCullers hit 94.9 mph on the radar gun in what was overall a positive outing, especially when considering it was his first real game action since the World Series in 2022. The 31-year-old also threw a scoreless inning in his only action in the Grapefruit League during spring training. McCullers had surgery to fix the flexor tendon in his right arm back in 2023 and hasn't pitched since after having multiple setbacks along the way. It's looking he may finally make his return to Houston's starting rotation in 2025, but he has a ways to go still, and the Astros are going to take their time. McCullers deserves to be stashed in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues, but his fantasy upside will be limited while on a strict workload this year.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Randy McIlvoy
Houston Astros right-hander Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Randy McIlvoy
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