Astros face pitching shuffle as McCullers Jr. lands on injured list
The Houston Astros are navigating a challenging phase as they place Lance McCullers Jr. on the 15-day injured list due to right-hand soreness. This decision sends the right-hander back to Houston for further evaluation, where the team hopes to assess the injury’s severity. In a corresponding move, Houston has called up left-hander Colton Gordon to fill the void left by McCullers.
McCullers’ turbulent return
McCullers’ journey back to the major leagues has not gone as planned. After spending nearly three years on the sidelines due to persistent elbow issues, his performance on the mound has been far from stellar. This season, he has logged 52⅓ innings, struggling with a 6.88 ERA. His strikeout rate of 21.8% and a concerning walk rate of 14.6% reflect the difficulties he has faced in regaining his form.
In light of these struggles, Astros manager Joe Espada made the decision to shift McCullers to a bullpen role, albeit temporarily. The intention was to help him regain his rhythm before transitioning back to a starting position. Unfortunately, this strategy has not yielded the desired results. In his last three appearances, spanning just four innings, McCullers has allowed six hits, four walks, and three earned runs. Adding to his challenges, his fastball velocity has dipped into the low 90s, making him increasingly vulnerable to powerful opposing hitters.
Rotation adjustments ahead of the postseason
As the Astros gear up for October, aligning their pitching rotation becomes crucial. With McCullers struggling, his absence may not significantly impact the overall effectiveness of the rotation. Depending on the severity of his injury, the team will determine the best course of action moving forward.
Should the issue prove minor, the Astros might opt to have McCullers make a few starts in the minors to monitor his progress closely. If he can show signs of improvement, there remains a possibility that the franchise could take a calculated risk and reintegrate him into the roster for one or two starts as they head into the postseason.
As the Astros continue to adapt their strategy, the focus will remain on ensuring they are in the best position to compete when the playoffs arrive.
