Houston Astros: Should Lance McCullers return as a reliever?

HOUSTON, TX - JULY 29: Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) pitches to Texas Rangers left fielder Willie Calhoun (5) in the top of the third inning during the baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros on July 29, 2018 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JULY 29: Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) pitches to Texas Rangers left fielder Willie Calhoun (5) in the top of the third inning during the baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros on July 29, 2018 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Astros fans witnessed one of pitcher Lance McCullers best moments in his career last year as a multi-inning closer. Yet, he still remains in the starting rotation. Would he be more effective in a full-time relief role?

Houston Astros fans watched in amazement. Six Yankees stepped up to the plate, and all were sent into the dugout, fooled by one type of pitch.

And Houston pitcher Lance McCullers became notable because of it.

The right-handed hurler tossed 24 consecutive curveballs in Game 7 of last year’s American League Championship Series to cap off a four-inning save. More impressively, it was against a team headed by sluggers Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez.

That crucial moment was arguably McCullers’s highest point in his career thus far. It’s evident that he possesses one of the better – and nastier – spinners in the league. It worked well against New York, keeping hitters off-balance.

Nevertheless, McCullers’s career numbers aren’t as dominant. His durability hasn’t helped him, as he’s suffered an injury in each of the past three seasons. It’s ironic that the young starter was placed on the disabled list just after he matched his career-high with 22 starts in a season.

Thus, the Astros have to consider whether the talented pitcher should remain in the rotation in the long run. He is the only pitcher currently in the rotation that is signed past 2020, and fans are aware that some of the other four starters may not return to Houston.

Yet, that doesn’t mean McCullers would lose his value. In fact, he could become even more valuable as a relief pitcher. Moreover, if the Astros have issues with ninth-inning specialists, he is an option at this point.

Of course, this is when he returns and if he remains healthy.

The front office has time to decide how to handle this situation. But other franchises’ decisions could influence the end result. St. Louis decided Carlos Martinez should be in the bullpen down the stretch. Even Houston may have Jose Altuve play when he’s not 100 percent.

Houston has enough depth and talent on its roster to survive Fall ball and experiment with McCullers in the pen. From a long-term standpoint, it could be the right move as well.

But are the Astros willing to risk a move at this point in their campaign?