CHICAGO — After a notable 30-month hiatus from the major leagues, Lance McCullers Jr. made a highly anticipated return to the pitcher’s mound for the Houston Astros on Sunday. Known for his skill and determination, the 31-year-old delivered an impressive performance in his comeback game against the Chicago White Sox.
McCullers last appeared in a game during the 2022 World Series in Philadelphia. Following surgery in June 2023 to repair the flexor tendon in his right arm and the removal of a bone spur, he faced a setback that kept him off the field last year. His return saw him pitching 3 2/3 innings scorelessly, as he limited the White Sox to three hits and three walks, striking out four. Despite McCullers’ efforts, the Astros fell to a 5-4 defeat in a game cut short to seven innings due to rain.
Reflecting on his performance, McCullers expressed satisfaction with his return. “I was happy with the overall stuff. Physically, I felt strong through the game,” he remarked. McCullers showed resilience on the mound, leaving runners stranded on multiple occasions and cleverly maneuvering out of a bases-loaded predicament in the second inning. His tenure on the mound concluded after 87 pitches, following a double and a walk in the fourth inning.
Espada, who observed McCullers’ performance closely, commented, “A lot of foul balls, a lot of high-stress moments there, but I think he pitched out of them. So he’ll get ready for the next one.”
Over his career, McCullers boasts a 49-32 record with a 3.46 ERA, all of which he achieved with the Astros. His standout season came in 2021 when he posted a 13-5 record with a 3.16 ERA. With hopes of returning to top form, McCullers could be a significant asset for Houston moving forward.
Acknowledging the journey back to the mound, McCullers shared, “It has been a very long road for me. It’s been a grind to get back to this point. I know that I have to do a better job of controlling the pitch count and getting quick outs and things like that, but from where I’ve come from over the last couple years, especially where I was early this offseason, I would lie to you guys if I didn’t say I was pretty proud of myself.”