Despite logging a career-low in innings, Lance McCullers Jr. was a vital part of the Houston Astros rotation in 2022. When he’s been able to stay on the field, he’s one of the better-starting pitchers in the American League, and last season proved as much. McCullers pitched effectively when on the mound and helped Houston capture another World Series title.
But as the Astros move through their regular season schedule and look to make a postseason run, they’ll be without McCullers for a while.
The team announced on Wednesday that McCullers underwent surgery on Tuesday evening on his right forearm to repair the flexor tendon and remove a bone spur. As a result, McCullers will be out for the remainder of the 2023 season. McCullers originally injured his flexor tendon in 2021 and aggravated that injury while throwing a bullpen session during spring training.
“After the injury happened in February, Lance worked his tail off to get back on the mound,” Astros general manager Dana Brown said in a statement. “This guy is a warrior and did everything in his power to get back. But each time he built himself up to an increased pitch total off the mound, the pain would come back. It’s unfortunate, but we look forward to him being back on the mound next season.”
RHP Lance McCullers Jr. underwent surgery on Tuesday evening on his right forearm to repair the flexor tendon and remove a bone spur, Astros GM Dana Brown announced. pic.twitter.com/PTS6stV6U2
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 14, 2023
After the initial injury, McCuiller revealed that it was likely that he would miss the start of the 2023 season. The MRI revealed a small muscle strain, which put Opening Day out of the question. And as Brown alluded to, it progressed to the point where it put the entire season out of the question.
The news of McCullers undergoing surgery was met with a lot of angst.
I think I just have to accept the fact that 2017 ALCS was the best version of Lance McCullers Jr. I’m ever going to see. 😢
24 straight curveballs in relief to beat the Yankees and advance the Houston Astros to the World Series.
Legendary performancepic.twitter.com/qU3AK50dIO https://t.co/NCxX8o0u4C
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) June 14, 2023
My personal post. This definitely hurts. Even if we expected this, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt any less. Lance has fought through a lot of injuries including TJ. He is one of my favorite players ever and I really hope that he comes back! Get well soon Lance! 🤘🏼🤘🏼❄️❄️ #LMJ https://t.co/llrh7lDFX1 pic.twitter.com/iVtE224sOr
— mariostros🏆🏆🍊🧃🚂 (@mariostros8) June 14, 2023
This seriously sucks for LMJ. He’s a terrific pitcher & relentless competitor.
It does make me question why this wasn’t addressed better in late 2021, although lockout could have played a role.
Happy it’s not TJ again. Hope the best for his fast recovery & return #Astros https://t.co/JezRY7FPid
— Patrick Creighton (@PCreighton1) June 14, 2023
So unfortunate, I really feel for Lance. All he’s done is give everything he’s had & continuously worked his tail off to pitch for this team. But, setbacks are not in his control. The flexor tendon injury in ‘21 is an issue in ‘23. I hope he can pitch on the mound in 2024 #Astros https://t.co/Y4hjE8rrNR
— Maanav Gupta (@MGSportsTalk) June 14, 2023
McCullers has battled durability issues over the past few seasons. In the last three years, he’s made 11, 28, and eight starts. Last season he logged just 47.2 innings pitched, the lowest-recorded number of his career. Unfortunately for McCullers, the 2023 season was the same verse on repeat.
Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go for the ‘Stros in 2024.
[Houston Astros on Twitter]
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.