Houston Astros manager confirms Lance McCullers has been "temporarily" shut down from throwing

Lance McCullers Jr. may not have been the best arm in the Houston Astros' rotation in 2022, but he was still able to post the lowest ERA of his career in an injury-laden season.

McCullers has been a starting pitcher for the Astros since 2015. Although the 6-foot-1, 2012 first-rounder has proven to be a dominant starter, his relatively young career has been laden with injury problems.

On Feb. 22, 2023, Houston Astros reporter Brian McTaggart shared an announcement from Astros manager Dusty Baker. Baker shared that Lance McCullers has "temporarily" been shut down from throwing. Baker's memo represents the latest frustration in McCullers' young but injury-plagued career.

"Dusty Baker said McCullers is “feeling better,” but no further insight was offered. He’s still not throwing. Also. LHP Parker Mushinski flew to Houston because of an undisclosed injury but is expected back soon." - Brian McTaggart

Baker also stated that the 29-year old starter was "feeling better." However, the Astros manager was hesitant to give any information that divulged the current issues that McCullers was facing.

Lance McCullers missed significant portions of the 2016 and 2017 seasons with back and shoulder issues, respectively. In late 2018, he underwent Tommy John surgery, which sidelined the right-hander for the entirety of the 2019 season.

In 2021, the Houston Astros turned a page in their relationship with McCullers. After getting a clean bill of health, the Astros signed McCullers to a five-year deal worth $85 million. McCullers reached career highs in 2021 in both starts and innings pitched, with 28 and 162, respectively. He finished with an ERA of 3.16 and a record of 13-5.

"The last time Lance McCullers Jr. faced the Yankees in the Playoffs… 24 straight curveballs to close it out." - MLB Metrics

Despite nagging injuries, McCullers has exemplified himself as a star pitcher. He threw his first complete game shutout as a rookie in 2015 against the Baltimore Orioles. He was also named the Astros Pitcher of the Year by the Houston Chapter of the Baseball Association of America in 2021. His father, also named Lance, played in the MLB in the 1980s and 1990s, most notably for the New York Yankees.

A healthy Lance McCullers will be invaluable for the Houston Astros rotation

After the departure of the 2022 AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, the Astros are keen to ensure that their rotation still possesses enough skill to get the job done. Although the severity of McCullers' current status is uncertain, his team knows that they need him back as soon as possible.