Lance McCullers injury update: Health status and expected recovery timeline for Houston Astros pitcher

It's been a difficult few seasons for Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. as he has struggled to remain on the field. Aside from the 2021 season, the starter has not pitched more than 100 innings since 2018. While he has had difficulties remaining healthy, when he is right, he is a fierce strikeout artist who is among the best in the game.

The 29-year-old has yet to appear in a game for the Houston Astros this season, and it seems likely that it will be sometime before he takes to the mound again. According to Astros manager Dusty Baker, Lance McCullers Jr. is no longer throwing off of the mound, which is a key step in the recovery process.

"Lance McCullers Jr. is no longer throwing off a mound, Dusty Baker said. 'We have to take it slow with Lance until we know that he’s 100 percent. That’s where it is right now,' Baker said." - @Chandler_Rome

While the team have said that they are simply slowing down his rehab process, it is not an optimistic outcome for the former All-Star. Although the Houston Astros have done well without him this season, posting a 31-21 record, the team would undoubtedly benefit from his presence in the starting lineup.

McCullers Jr. seemed primed to play a major role for the Houston Astros heading into the 2023 campaign, but the veteran suffered a strained right forearm during spring training, which has kept him out of action all season.

"Lance McCullers Jr. with another setback. I feel bad for him. We need a starter. Who’s out there? Joe Kelly. No damn way. He’s only good for an inning anyway. #Ready2Reign" - @kitchenRat21

Houston general manager Dana Brown recently suggested that a return to the pitching rotation sometime after the All-Star break was a possibility, but this recent update from Dusty Baker is a discouraging one.

Lance McCullers Jr. is not the only key pitcher missing from the Astros' rotation

While the absence of McCullers Jr. has already been felt by the team, he is not the only pitcher missing from the rotation. The team has lost other key pitchers Luis Garcia and Jose Urquidy to injuries, with Garcia set to miss the remainder of the regular season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

"RHP Luis Garcia underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery (Tommy John) on his right elbow today." - @astros