What Lies Ahead for Astros Veteran Right-Hander

Top Moments for McCullers Jr. 

McCullers Jr. has built a real connection with the city through his grit and determination to keep going even through adversity. He has spent most of his adult life in Houston, and it has truly become his home over the past decade since making his big league debut with the Astros back in 2015. 

The two-time World Series champion in 2017 and 2022 has had his fair share of incredible moments with the club that stand out during the championship years. The 24 straight curveballs against the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the 2017 ALCS remain arguably his most iconic moment, something that will go down in Astros lore. It seems like every season that moment is brought up once again. 

He started Game 7 of the 2017 World Series and played a key role in the team’s first title. 

McCullers Jr., a fiery and entertaining personality, has always stood up for his teammates and has publicly shown support. After his great outing in Dodger Stadium back in 2021, he said, “That was for H-Town.” His two ALDS playoff starts in 2021 with a combined 0.84 ERA took Houston over the top against the Chicago White Sox. 

But now, he remains a legend of the past in some ways. It has been a few years since McCullers Jr. has really contributed to the team on the mound. 

He’s now 32 years old and has the feeling of a veteran MLB player who has gone through all the ups and downs. The fact is, McCullers Jr. isn’t the same electric flamethrower that was the talk of the city in 2017. Nor is he likely to be the top-of-the-line starter he was in 2021. 

Injury History 

After starting Game Three in the 2022 World Series, McCullers Jr. did not pitch for the next two seasons. He went through surgery to repair his flexor tendon in June 2023 and suffered a setback in 2024. Injuries have been nothing new for him and have been an almost constant presence during his career. 

McCullers Jr. underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 and missed that entire season, and missed most of 2022 rehabbing from his initial flexor tendon injury suffered in the 2021 ALDS. 

LMJ’s 2025 Season

After finally returning to the mound last May, LMJ went through a very inconsistent 2025. The return in itself was an accomplishment, but he was unable to play a significant role. He went through three different injuries and even moved to the bullpen briefly, but ended the regular season on a high note with three innings of one-run baseball against the Los Angeles Angels. 

He then delivered another signature moment at Dodger Stadium on July 4, allowing just one earned run over six innings.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound right-hander comes off his first healthy offseason in five years. It’s possible that could be the difference for McCullers Jr. to turn back time. 

“When you’re healthy, and you’re feeling good, and you’re relatively crisp, you’re able to work on what you need to work on, you’re able to stack days and make strides to be better, and that’s where I’m at right now. Everything’s been going well,” McCullers Jr. said.

He just had his first spring training start of the year on Friday evening, and looked impressive. McCullers Jr. pitched a one-two-three first inning and needed just eight pitches while he reached almost 95 mph. LMJ pitched only out of the stretch and made some mechanical changes.

A Fresh Start For The Veteran Astros Pitcher

Whatever happens in the future, McCullers Jr. and Houston will forever be connected. His name has been etched in some of the best moments in Astros franchise history. 

“I think I just need to let go and stop trying to control everything, stop trying to just micromanage everything,” McCullers said.

Even through the injuries, his impact on Houston’s golden era remains. He’s one of the names that will come up who helped propel the Astros to the top of the sport. McCullers Jr. has generally been a postseason standout and had six shutout innings against the Mariners in Game Three of the 2022 ALDS. His 2 1/3 scoreless innings to start Game 7 of the 2017 Fall Classic, as well as an RBI on the road in LA, might go on top of his list. 

What’s Next

McCullers Jr. is still one of the most popular players on the team, and it will be interesting to see how he does this season and what is next for him in the future. He and infielder Jose Altuve are the only two players remaining from both championship teams. 

It’s quite possible that 2026 could be the last season seeing his signature orange glove on the mound in Daikin Park. McCullers Jr. is in the last year of his five-year, $85 million deal signed back in March 2021. It made sense at the time, and he backed it up with 162.1 innings pitched that season, a career high. 

He went 13-5 and posted a 3.16 ERA in 28 starts along with 185 strikeouts. McCullers Jr. has always been an elite pitcher when he gets an opportunity, but 2025 was the exception, with a 6.51 ERA and 2-5 record in 16 appearances. 

The Future for Lance McCullers Jr.

The curveball has always been McCullers’ signature pitch, something Astros fans will know well. It would honestly be a throwback to prime McCullers Jr. if he’s able to get that pitch going in 2026. 

“I’ve been in this organization since I was barely 18 years old. So it would be great to just have a nice last year here. Whatever the future holds, the future holds.”

McCullers Jr. is likely to be the sixth starter in the rotation this season behind Spencer Arrighetti. He’s happy with what he’s achieved in his career and is ready to accept whatever comes next with open arms, whether it’s with his wife and two kids or continuing on the mound. 

“I have no reservations about my future in baseball,” McCullers Jr. said. “So if the future for me is to be home with them, I’ll be happy with that. I’ll be content with that, you know? But if the future for me is to be in this game, if I can be healthy and help a team win, I’ll be happy with that, too.”