Player News

• Astros' Lance McCullers: Won't pitch in 2024

  08/04/2024 • By RotoWire

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that it's "pretty safe to say" McCullers (forearm) won't be activated from the 60-day injured list this season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. McCullers underwent surgery last June to repair his right flexor tendon and remove a bone spur and had been hopeful to return to the Astros around the middle of the season. After progressing to throwing bullpen sessions in May, McCullers had his rehab program shut down in July and received a second opinion from doctors. Though McCullers was diagnosed with no new structural damage to his elbow, the recent setback he had a few weeks ago will be enough to slow him down and take a 2024 return off the table. The 30-year-old hasn't pitched for the Astros since the 2022 World Series, and he had already missed the entire 2019 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. McCullers remains on Houston's books through 2026 after signing a five-year, $85 million extension in March 2021.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Astros' Lance McCullers: Still not throwing

  07/31/2024 • By RotoWire

  General manager Dana Brown said Tuesday that McCullers (forearm) has not yet resumed throwing, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. A setback in McCullers' recovery has prevented him from throwing since July 9, and although he is not dealing with any structural damage, his progress remains slow. Brown noted that the right-hander may still be able to pitch for the Astros in September, but he won't have a clear timetable until he is cleared to resume his throwing program.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Astros' Lance McCullers: No structural damage in elbow

  07/20/2024 • By RotoWire

  McCullers said Friday that he has no structural damage in his right elbow or forearm, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Despite that assurance, McCullers still has not resumed throwing after being shut down July 9. However, manager Joe Espada said the right-hander may be able to restart a throwing program within the next several days depending on how he feels. McCullers hasn't pitched in an MLB game since 2022 and still figures to be at least several weeks away from a potential return to the Astros.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Astros' Lance McCullers: Shut down from throwing

  07/09/2024 • By RotoWire

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that McCullers (forearm) will not throw for a few days, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Espada noted that McCullers' throwing arm was not responding well between bullpen sessions, and the 30-year-old will rest while the team figures out next steps. It's a step back for McCulers, who hasn't pitched since the 2022 World Series and is working his way back from June 2023 surgery to repair the flexor tendon and remove a bone spur in his right forearm.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Astros' Lance McCullers: Throwing off mound Saturday

  06/21/2024 • By RotoWire

  McCullers (forearm) is scheduled to throw 25 warmup pitches Saturday and then sit down to mimic a break between innings before re-taking the mound, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Saturday's session will be McCullers' first up-down since undergoing surgery last June. He's expected to simulate one more up-down before the Astros consider having the right-hander face hitters. McCullers appears to be on track for an August return.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE