Houston Astros Give Poor Health Update on Injured Pitcher Lance McCullers

The Astros had hoped to get Lance McCullers back from an elbow strain early this season, but manager Dusty Baker provided a bleak update on Monday.

The Houston Astros are coming off a sweep of the hapless Oakland Athletics, so things should be looking good for the World Champs.

Look again.

The Astros, hoping to get back injured starting pitcher Lance McCullers, provided a bleak update on McCullers on Monday.

Astros reporter Chandler Rome has more:

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.

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 (@Chandler_Rome) May 29, 2023

While that's a rather vague update, it still doesn't elicit a lot of hope. Not throwing off a mound at all? Sounds like McCullers is several weeks away from game action, at best.

We had heard early in April that he was making progress in his return from an elbow strain. A month and a later, there's still no great news.

Injuries are unfortunately part of the story for the righty.

He underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entirety of the 2019 season and was only able to make eight starts in 2022.

McCullers signed a five year, $85 million contract extension with the Astros before the 2022 season.

When McCullers does pitch though, he's quite effective. He has a career 49-32 record with a lifetime 3.48 ERA. He made the All-Star team in 2017 and helped the Astros win the World Series that year, as well as in 2022.

The Astros are currently 31-21 and in second place in the American League West.

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