Lance McCullers Jr.'s wife Kara melts hearts as she captures daughter Ava's 'cutest dinner date' with Josh Hader's son Lucas

Houston Astros teammates Lance McCullers Jr. and Josh Hader spend a lot of time together on and off the field. Even though McCullers hasn't played since 2022, and is not likely to pitch this season, he has been to the Astros dugout, and his wife Kara has become friends with Hader's wife, Maria.

McCullers, who last pitched in the 2022 World Series, which the Astros won, missed the entirety of the 2023 regular season while he recovered from flexor tendon surgery he underwent in June 2023. Hader has been the Astros primary closer this season and has done well in the last few months.

On Friday, McCullers' wife Kara dropped a picture in her Instagram story of her daughter Ava, who was having the "cutest dinner date" with Hader's son Lucas. Both are enjoying their food sitting opposite each other at a child-sized table.

"Cutest dinner date," Kara wrote while tagging Hader's wife.

Kara's Instagram story

This comes after the kids spent the preseason and spring training in Florida enjoying each other's company along with another key member of their friend group, Knox Samuel, who is the son of Astros third baseman Alex Bregman.

McCullers household adds another member to their growing family

Earlier this year in January, Kara and Lance McCullers became parents to their second daughter as the duo shared pictures of their moments in hospital after delivery. They named their second daughter, Isla Graye McCullers.

"And then there were 4 🥹 Rang in the new year in our newborn bubble 🫧 Welcome to the world, Isla Graye McCullers 🥰" Kara wrote in her caption.

Lance McCullers and Kara are also parents to Ava Rae McCullers, their first daughter, who was born on Dec. 27, 2019.

The couple shared snaps of little Isla on July 25, marking six months of joyous moments.

On the field, however, McCullers' health remains an issue. In the latest update, Astros manager Joe Espada announced that the pitcher is ruled out for the rest of the season.

“Where he’s at right now, I think it’s safe to say I don’t think he’ll pitch this season,” Espada said last month. “It would be almost too much to ask him to ramp up and get him back this season. Everything is moving in the right direction, but with the number of games [remaining], that’s where we’re at.”

This comes as no surprise, as in August, his rehabilitation was restricted from any throwing activities.