Lance McCullers Jr. injury update: Houston Astros pitcher to start rehab assignment
By David Hill
The Houston Astros are getting closer to adding reinforcements to their starting rotation.
Lance McCullers Jr. has yet to pitch this season after suffering a flexor tendon forearm strain during the 2021 postseason. That is set to change as Mark Berman of Fox 26 reports that McCullers will make his first rehab appearance on Friday.
Houston Astros get postseason boost with Lance McCullers Jr.
McCullers had taken a step forward as a top of the rotation arm for the Astros in 2021. He posted a solid 3.16 ERA and a 1.220 WHiP in his 162.1 innings last season, striking out 185 batters with 76 walks. This absence was certainly felt in the postseason as the Astros fell to the Braves in the World Series.
The Astros rotation has been better this season. Jake Odorizzi has shaken off his rough start and injuries to come back to form. Justin Verlander has not missed a beat. Adding McCullers to that group once he is theoretically ready in mid-August will only improve the Astros chances of advancing in the postseason.
His eventual arrival will also help the Astros in other ways. They are likely going to want to limit Verlander’s innings down the stretch just to make certain he is ready for the playoffs. As the Astros rotation has been a strength this season, it is possible that they could look at a six man crew over the final few weeks to get that extra rest.
McCullers also helps set up the Astros postseason rotation. If he can pitch at the same level he did last year, he would join Verlander and Framber Valdez to give Houston a formidable trio. As pitching makes a major difference in the playoffs, McCullers could be a weapon that the Astros have yet to unleash.
Next. How the Astros can return to the World Series. dark
Lance McCullers Jr. is getting closer to returning to the Houston Astros. That next step comes with his rehab appearance on Friday.