The Houston Astros are the reigning World Series Champions. But they will be without a longtime member of the team at least to start the season.
Starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. 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. Heading into 2023, unfortunately, it looks like it’s the same verse on repeat.
McCullers revealed on Wednesday that it’s likely he misses the start of this coming season. Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reported the news on Twitter. Rome tweeted, “Lance McCullers Jr. said he had an MRI yesterday that revealed a ‘small muscle strain.’ He is shut down for a few weeks. ‘Opening day is out of the question,’ he said.”
Lance McCullers Jr. said he had an MRI yesterday that revealed a “small muscle strain.” He is shut down for a few weeks.
“Opening day is out of the question,” he said.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 22, 2023
The Astros may be without McCullers and Justin Verlander, who the New York Mets signed in the offseason. But they still have some pitching depth. So they, in all likelihood, should be able to weather the storm. But it is concerning news for them and McCullers. Obviously, his durability issues continue to linger. A small shoulder strain may just be small now, but the hope will be that it’s just an issue that can be nipped now.
Not one, for the Astros’ sake, that will linger throughout the season. They still figure to be the best team in the American League again this season. But certainly, the McCullers news is concerning.
The MLB world reacted to the news after it broke.
Chandler Rome also stressed that their pitching depth should be able to hold them over.
An Astros meme account posted their thoughts on the situation.
One Astro fan signaled this could be Hunter Brown’s time to shine.
Brian Smith of the Houston Chronicle didn’t like what he saw.
