Astros' Pitching Struggles Continue Without Lance McCullers Jr.
The Houston Astros are preparing for an uphill battle for the remainder of the regular season without one of their key pitchers, Lance McCullers Jr. The right-hander, who debuted in the majors in 2015, has been notably absent due to complications stemming from off-season surgery. It now appears that McCullers is unlikely to make a return this season, a significant blow to the Astros' rotation.
McCullers’ surgery, conducted last summer, included the repair of a flexor tendon in his throwing arm and the removal of a bone spur. Since then, his recovery has been anything but smooth. Despite undergoing numerous treatments and therapy sessions, he has not progressed to the point of starting a rehab assignment. The situation deteriorated further with a setback in early July, setting back any hopes for a quick comeback.
“The Houston Astros will likely be without right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. for the remainder of the regular season,” said team bench coach Joe Espada. This statement underlines not just the team's current reality but also the gravity of the challenge they face in McCullers' absence.
McCullers has been a mainstay in the Astros' pitching staff for almost a decade, with 130 career appearances and an impressive 3.48 ERA (118 ERA+). Known for his strong strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.70, McCullers has played pivotal roles in two World Series victories, including starting Game 7 of the 2017 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite these achievements, McCullers' durability has always been a concern; he has surpassed the 150-inning mark just once in his career, during the 2021 season. His next highest inning total was 128 in 2018.
Understanding his valuable contribution, the Astros extended McCullers' contract before the 2021 season, securing him with a five-year, $85 million deal. McCullers is under contract through the 2026 campaign and is owed $34 million over the next two seasons. However, the payload is of little immediate comfort as the team struggles without him on the mound.
Compounding the Astros’ pitching woes, Justin Verlander has also been on the mend. Verlander, who participated in a simulated game on Sunday, is projected to carry out a couple of minor-league rehab assignments before he can rejoin the Astros. Optimistic projections see him back in action sometime in the middle of the month, but until then, the team remains in a precarious position.
In an attempt to mitigate the impact of these absences, the Astros executed a deadline deal to acquire left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. Whether Kikuchi can fill the void left by McCullers and temporarily by Verlander remains to be seen, but the move demonstrates the Astros' commitment to maintaining a competitive edge.
The loss of McCullers for the season spells not only a tactical setback but also an emotional one for the team. McCullers, known for his resilience and leadership, brings more to the table than just his pitching statistics. His presence in the clubhouse and on the field has been a source of inspiration for many of his teammates.
“Lance is a fighter. He’s always been a key part of our team’s success,” a teammate commented off the record, expressing the sentiment that many within the Astros organization undoubtedly share. The upcoming months will test the Astros' depth and determination as they strive to stay competitive in a fiercely contested season.
As it stands, the Astros must navigate the choppy waters ahead with the resources at hand. With strategic decisions, timely recoveries, and hopefully, a bit of luck, they aim to keep their postseason hopes alive. The road may be tough, but the Astros have shown time and time again that they are a team capable of overcoming adversity.