When Is Lance McCullers Jr. Coming Back for the Houston Astros?

The Houston Astros remain in first place in the AL West by several games, but a prominent reinforcement could be coming for the second half of the season.

Pitcher Lance McCullers has been out since the postseason of 2021 with a strained flexor tendon in his right forearm, but is back to throwing off of a mound. If all continues to go well without setback, McCullers could soon appear for Houston by the second half of the season post-All Star break.

Lance McCullers Latest Injury Update

According to Astros beat writer Brian McTaggert, McCullers last threw on Tuesday, May 31 in a 15-pitch bullpen session with the team in an abbreviated workout.

McCullers, according to the report threw primarily two-seam fastballs and changeups and is expected to throw again at some point during the Astros' road series with the Kansas City Royals from June 3-5.

In his previous bullpen session, McCullers mixed in two other pitches in sinkers and four-seam fastballs, but sat in the low 80's.

Lance McCullers Injury History

The 28-year old made his major league debut in the 2015 season, starting 22 games. He began 2016 on the disabled list with a shoulder injury; making 14 starts that year.

The year after, McCullers dealt with a back injury throughout the season, but was back in time for the playoff run and nailed his first career save in the ALCS vs. the New York Yankees.

In 2018, McCullers started 22 games before a right elbow surgery sidelined him for a month. After coming back for the final few weeks of the season, McCullers underwent Tommy John surgery for his right elbow and missed the full 2019 season.

For most of the 2021 season, McCullers had one of his healthiest campaigns to this point in his career until the postseason forearm injury occured. His timeline for 2022 remains speculative for the second half.

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