Lance McCullers
31-Year-Old
Out
Injury Forearm
Est. Return 2/1/2025
2024 Stats
W-L
0-0
ERA
0.00
WHIP
0.00
K
0
SV
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Because of ongoing forearm complications, McCullers hasn't pitched at any level since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series, and Astros general manager Dana Brown told reporters this past November that he doesn't expect the 30-year-old right-hander to be back on a major-league mound until July of 2024. McCullers looked like a budding star when he debuted for Houston at age 21 back in 2015, compiling a 3.67 ERA with 509 strikeouts across his first 453.2 big-league innings between that debut date and the end of the 2018 campaign. He had nasty breaking stuff, a mid-90s fastball and strong potential for wins on an always-relevant Astros team. Whenever he does finally return to action, though, it's hard to say which of those elements will remain and what kind of pitcher McCullers will be. Fantasy managers might be in for a frustrating IL-stash experience. Read Past Outlooks
Won't pitch in 2024
Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that it's "safe to say" McCullers (forearm) won't be activated from the 60-day injured list this season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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.
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.
Pitching Stats
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Minor League Game Log
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Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2022
-36%
BAA vs LHP
2024
No Stats
BAA | K | BB | H | HR | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2022vs Left | .165 | 27 | 16 | 13 | 1 | |||
Since 2022vs Right | .258 | 23 | 6 | 24 | 3 | |||
2024vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
2024vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
2023vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
2023vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
2022vs Left | .165 | 27 | 16 | 13 | 1 | |||
2022vs Right | .258 | 23 | 6 | 24 | 3 | |||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2022
-58%
ERA at Home
2024
No Stats
ERA | WHIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2022Home | 1.50 | 1.03 | 30.0 | 8.7 | 3.9 | ||||
Since 2022Away | 3.57 | 1.58 | 17.2 | 10.7 | 4.6 | ||||
2024Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2024Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2023Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2023Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2022Home | 1.50 | 1.03 | 30.0 | 8.7 | 3.9 | ||||
2022Away | 3.57 | 1.58 | 17.2 | 10.7 | 4.6 | ||||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Advanced Pitching Stats
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Defensive Stats
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
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2013
The Astros downplayed his injury in the 2021 ALDS, but McCullers revealed in February that he had suffered a strain of the flexor tendon, adding that it was torn partially off the bone. It also came to light that he suffered setbacks over the winter which conspired to delay his season debut until Aug. 13. McCullers showed no ill effects upon his return and finished with a sparkling 2.77 ERA over 10 regular-season starts down the stretch. On a personal level, McCullers' season on a bit of a sour note as he allowed five homers in Game 3 of the World Series, but what's important is that he was still healthy heading into the offseason. After a full offseason of rest, McCullers will likely once again become a darling of the fantasy community. He's battled a myriad of health issues throughout his career, but McCullers has reached 22 starts on four occasions and made 11 starts during the shortened 2020 seasons. When healthy, McCullers will be toeing the rubbers every fifth day for one of the best teams in baseball, if not the best.
More Fantasy News
Still not throwing
General manager Dana Brown said Tuesday that McCullers (forearm) has not yet resumed throwing, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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No structural damage in elbow
McCullers said Friday that he has no structural damage in his right elbow or forearm, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
ANALYSIS
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Shut down from throwing
Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that McCullers (forearm) won't throw for a few days, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Throwing up-and-down side session
McCullers (forearm) is scheduled to throw an up-and-down bullpen session Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Making progress
McCullers (forearm) threw 25 pitches off the bullpen mound Thursday, MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Productive bullpen Friday
McCullers threw all of his pitches in a bullpen session Friday in Oakland and felt good afterward, reports Sonja Chen of MLB.com.
ANALYSIS
McCullers will throw two innings in a live batting practice session Tuesday in Anaheim as the next step in his recovery from a right flexor tendon injury. He'll likely throw a couple more live batting practices then progress to simulated games and, eventually, a rehab assignment. An August return still seems likely for the 28-year-old.
McCullers will throw two innings in a live batting practice session Tuesday in Anaheim as the next step in his recovery from a right flexor tendon injury. He'll likely throw a couple more live batting practices then progress to simulated games and, eventually, a rehab assignment. An August return still seems likely for the 28-year-old.