Astros Rotation Gets Major Boost with Two Key Starters Returning

Astros Getting Two Key Starters Back in Rotation

How LMJ’s Rehab Went

McCullers went five innings on 80 pitches last Friday with Sugar Land and gave up only one earned run on four hits, along with five strikeouts. That one appearance was good enough for the Astros management to bring him back. 

It has been a rough year for LMJ so far, as this was his second injury recovery this season. The Astros placed McCullers on the 15-day IL with a right foot sprain on June 16 and activated him 12 days later. The 31-year-old has a 2-4 record along with a 6.90 ERA in his 11 starts with the Astros this year. McCullers has not gotten past three innings in his last two big league starts, while his WHIP is at 1.737. 

Rehab is nothing new for McCullers, having dealt with his fair share of setbacks throughout his career. LMJ made his first start since the 2022 World Series in May, after multiple flexor tendon injuries sidelined him for most of the 2022 regular season and all of 2023 and 2024.

After a strong rehab outing, McCullers will now look to start afresh on Friday. 

The Astros’ starting rotation continues to gain depth and health, as Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti have already made a couple of starts. 

France Returns

Additionally, France is now back on the major league active roster. He officially rejoined the Astros after completing his rehab assignment from right shoulder surgery last year. In his final start with the Space Cowboys last Thursday, France went four innings on 77 pitches and allowed three runs on three hits, along with seven strikeouts. 

The righty has started three games for Sugar Land in August, as he ramped up his recovery and reached 93 mph on his fastball last week. While he struggled in his first start back on Aug. 2 with four earned runs in two innings, France bounced back on Aug. 8 by pitching 3 2/3 innings and giving up two runs.

France came to prominence with the Astros in 2023 and delivered an incredible stretch of success in the regular season. He went 11-6 that year with a 3.83 ERA in 136 1/3 innings and 101 strikeouts, giving the injury-hit team a big boost.

France battled shoulder inflammation the following offseason and made only five starts in 2024, struggling to a 7.46 ERA before undergoing surgery for a torn right shoulder capsule. That procedure ended his season. After more than a year of recovery and rehab, the Astros will look for him to take the next step. 

Astros Rotation Gets Healthier

This is much-needed good news for the Astros, as the starting pitching has been very inconsistent. With Houston already having a deep rotation, it is quite possible that France could be sent to the bullpen to help out with their thin depth after Josh Hader’s shoulder capsule injury. The impending return of Luis Garcia can also give the Astros more flexibility, adding another option for both the rotation and the bullpen.