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5 hours ago
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One of the main issues plaguing the Houston Astros in 2025 has been their starting pitching. It's an issue not because of how well they're performing, but due to the litany of injuries in the rotation. Whether it's season-ending issues or short-term problems, the Astros have seven pitchers on the injured list in their rotation.
However, before the final game of the Astros series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Astros manager Joe Espada gave a very encouraging update on one of those starters who has been hurt.
According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic on Twitter/X, Espada said that starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. is an option to start for the Astros on Saturday, June 28th, against the Chicago Cubs.
Joe Espada said Lance McCullers Jr. is "an option" to start on Saturday, provided he wakes up tomorrow feeling good https://t.co/ddLbt0Z2Mv
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 26, 2025The only caveat Espada laid out for McCullers to be ready for that start is that he needs to feel good tomorrow morning after waking up. If that happens, the Astros plan to activate McCullers and get him ready to go for the Astros and Cubs game on Saturday afternoon.
This update from Espada is a great one. Not only are the Astros expected to get McCullers back, but his return is projected to be very soon, barring any setback. The Astros lost McCullers for a part of the year due to a "freak" foot sprain, but he's now projected to be back a little over ten days since his injury.
In 2025, McCullers in seven starts had a 4.91 ERA and a 1-2 record. He's struck out 39 batters in 29.1 innings of work and has a WHIP of 1.43. McCullers missed the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons and is now back pitching for the Astros. Now that he's feeling better from his foot sprain, the veteran Astros starter is on the cusp of making his eighth start in 2025, and since 2022.
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