Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. is making progress in his rehab from an elbow strain, notes Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.
The 29-year-old starter has begun the year on the injured list for the World Champions but is currently throwing from 90 feet and is quickly progressing to throwing on back-to-back days. Rome notes that he may be able to throw off a mound this month, which would be a significant step. There is no official timeline beyond that for his return.
McCullers signed a five year, $85 million contract extension with the Astros before the 2022 season but has battled extensive injuries over the last few years.
He underwent Tommy John Surgery and missed the entirety of the 2019 season and was only able to make eight starts in 2022.
When McCullers does pitch though, he's quite effective. 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.
The Astros are out to a 2-4 start at this point in the season and are working with Framber Valdez, Luis Garcia, Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown and Jose Urquidy in the starting rotation.
When McCullers comes back, he will be a big boost to the team's chances at repeating as World Champions. The Astros are also looking forward to getting Jose Altuve back. The second baseman is out for at least two months after breaking his thumb in the World Baseball Classic.
The Astros will play the Tigers in Houston at 2:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
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