Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. has been diagnosed with a muscle strain in his right forearm, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports on Twitter. McCullers had already been placed on the 10-day disabled list.
The 24-year-old McCullers has worked to a 3.93 ERA with 9.9 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 through a personal-high 126 innings on the season. He is earning $2.45MM this year as a Super Two.
While this diagnosis certainly isn’t the best news, it’s also not the worst. McCullers is said to be likely to miss the remainder of the month of August, but it appears there is good reason to hope he’ll be able to return during the present season.
That’s not to say that McCullers and the ’Astros are out of the woods just yet. Any setbacks could threaten his availability down the stretch and in the postseason. And, in the long run, this is the latest of several injury issues that have combined to limit him to 199 2/3 innings over the prior two campaigns.
Focusing on the immediate picture, the Astros have several former starters working in their bullpen in Collin McHugh and Brad Peacock, though both are excelling in their current roles. Youngster Cionel Perez, who’s currently also in the MLB relief corps, could be among the internal options. It’s certainly also possible that the club could pursue a depth option on the August trade market, though a few possibilities have already left the shelves.
Have fun with your Tommy John Lance.
Um? It’s not the UCL sorry bud
Somehow he will probably still need TJS
Sometimes a forearm strain is a precursor to Tommy john. Kendall Graveman was originally diagnosed with a forearm strain and still had to get surgery.
Sometimes it is. Sometimes it’s just a forearm strain. Anyone who throws a breaking ball as much as he does is going to inevitably be at risk for forearm strains….also….UCL tears. But I doubt they aren’t aware of this and didn’t thoroughly check. Hopefully it’s not a step towards a dark path and he just accepts a bullpen roll for the rest of the year.
Pretty sure to diagnose a torn or damaged UCL they have to go under some sort of MRI. Forearm strains (or just strains in general) can be diagnosed as a “catch all” for pain or discomfort in the arm. Yes, a lot of forearm strains are just that, strains, but now more than ever they are commonly precursors to TJS. Hence my comment.
Just FYI he pulled it swinging a bat….. find me a player that blew a UCL swinging a bat and I might start to come around to the idea
Ummm?? Not the UCL sorry bud
Yeah I bet they totally forgot to check out his UCL while they were imaging……………………………………………………………….
That being said, could be forcing a good thing….he needs to be in our bullpen for the playoffs and probably for the long term although I doubt he’ll accept that until he does have a major injury.
His constant injury issues do make me wonder if he’d be better suited in the bullpen, where his dad pitched. Maybe not, I’m not an expert on arm health.
Does anyone know if Astros Minor League SP Josh James is ready? I thought he would get a look this season.
He looks like he’s coming back down to earth a little bit but he could (In my opinion) definitely survive a September call up without embarrassing himself.
Too many guys (McHugh, Peacock, C. Perez) might feel a little jaded if James gets a rotation spot before they get a shot, even if they have been exceptional in their current roles.
Rogelio Armenteros
Marco Estrada anyone?
As an Indians fan, McCullers kinda reminds me of Salazar because they’ve both had a ton of injuries and would probably be better suited in the bullpen because of it. McCullers would be filthy in short stints.
Why more people don’t see Lance as a closer/8th inning setup guy, I don’t know. Michael, you’re correct imo… Lance would be FILTHY in 1 inning pops!
I’m assuming the Astros keep hoping that he’ll stay healthy to pitch 160-200 innings because he’s been good as a starter but from an outside opinion I think putting him in the bullpen could be lethal
Because he has an arcinal of pitches. Remember last year he made the All Star team as a SP.
I chuckled when I read the part about McHugh and Peacock being options, but they are excelling in their bullpen roles. As if they would be considered for the rotation if they sucked in the bullpen!
Pu-leeeze.
If ever there were a non-story, this is it.
Two excellent starting pitchers are in the bullpen because the Astros have an embarrassment of riches in the rotation.
Shove Peacock or McHugh into the rotation and charge on.
So is Francis Martes hurt or what? He was supposed to be this big top propspect and be a dominant starter but haven’t heard anything.
Check in with the Blue Jays on that one.