Lance McCullers Jr. Injury Update: Astros manager Joe Espada confirms right-hander won't pitch in 2024 amid recovery setbacks

Lance McCullers Jr., the Houston Astros' All-Star starter, could miss the 2024 season, Houston manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. McCullers last pitched in the big leagues in the 2022 World Series.

“Astros manager Joe Espada said it is 'safe to say' that Lance McCullers Jr. will not pitch this season,” Rome tweeted on Sunday.

If he fails to return this season as well, it’ll mark his second consecutive wasted year in his five-year, $85 million contract, signed in 2021. Lance McCullers Jr. suffered a muscle strain in his right arm and underwent surgery to repair his right flexor tendon last summer, costing him the entire 2023 season and the first half of 2024.

McCullers started throwing sessions last month aiming to make a comeback. However, amid the Astros’ dire need for starters, it was delayed indefinitely as the righty pitcher had “soreness in his arm.”

“The team has 'pulled back' on McCullers’ rehab progression with what manager Joe Espada described as “soreness in his arm,” Rome reported in The Athletic.

No further update came since then from the club or the player regarding resuming his rehab, assuming the team prepares him for the next season rather than rushing his recovery process. The Astros acquired their first Japanese ace, Yusei Kikuchi, from the Toronto Blue Jays at the trade deadline, and immediately put him in the main roster to address the rotation.

Lance McCullers Jr. remains with Jose Urquidy and Christian Javiar on the IL, while Luis Garcia and Justin Verlander are completing their necessary rehab steps to make a return this season.

Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle hinted at a possible return of Verlander, who pitched two good innings with 37 pitches on Sunday, touching up to 94 mph with fastballs.

Lance McCullers Jr.'s future swirls with the Astros

The more Lance McCullers Jr. will take time to recover, the less likely the Astros will keep their faith in him. Not to mention, 2025 will be his fourth season on contract, and if he fails to put positive feedback before that, the club is likely to move on.

This year is a great opportunity for him to help the team. However, even if McCullers intends to join the roster this season, that’ll not likely be before the postseason. His due throwing sessions and rehab assignments will require time, and the Astros do not have much time to spare.

McCullers has a 3.48 ERA in 718.2 innings during his seven-year career. He also has a fair share of postseason experience, where he posted a 3.47 ERA in 72.2 innings across 12 playoff series, helping the Astros win two World Series (2017 and 2022).