Astros Activate McCullers, Option Martinez to Triple-A

Lance McCullers Jr. is scheduled for his season debut Saturday after missing most of the year with a right forearm strain sustained in Game 4 of the 2021 American League Division Series.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Houston Astros transferred Michael Brantley to the 60-day injured list following season-ending surgery Wednesday. Upon McCullers being activated, Seth Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land.

Martinez has a 2.48 ERA over 32 2/3 innings this season. The righty was recalled May 17 and posted a stretch of 10-straight scoreless innings before Aaron Judge's walk-off home run on June 26.