According to reports on Saturday, Houston Astros ' pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. is still on track for the July return that was predicted two months ago.
Per Chandler Rome of 'The Athletic:'
Lance McCullers Jr is throwing from 80 feet on flat ground and said he feels good. A late summer return seems feasible, McCullers said.
McCullers Jr. missed all of 2023 with injury and had surgery on his flexor tendon in June. He also had a bone spur removed.
When he pitches, he's a vital part of what the Astros do as a pitching staff, but he hasn't pitched in any game situations since the 2022 World Series.
He has a career 49-32 record with a lifetime 3.48 ERA. He made the All-Star team in 2017 and helped the Astros win the World Series that year, as well as in 2022.
But injuries are unfortunately part of the story for the righty. He underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entirety of the 2019 season and was only able to make eight starts in that 2022 season.
McCullers signed a five year, $85 million contract extension with the Astros before the 2022 season.
The Astros won the American League West this past season but were beaten in seven games by the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship Series. In addition to McCullers Jr., they also saw Luis Garcia undergo Tommy John surgery and missed Jose Urquidy for a large portion of the season.
Fortunately for them, they have re-acquired Justin Verlander and he can carry some of the load in 2024.
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