Headlines

  • Reports: Ohtani Still Undecided On Next Club
  • Red Sox Acquire Tyler O’Neill
  • Braves Acquire Max Stassi, David Fletcher
  • Diamondbacks Sign Eduardo Rodriguez To Four-Year Deal
  • David Rubenstein Reportedly In Talks To Acquire Baltimore Orioles
  • Astros Sign Victor Caratini To Two-Year Deal
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2024
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2023-24 Top 50 Free Agents With Predictions
    • Free Agent Prediction Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Lance McCullers Jr. To Begin Rehab Assignment

By Anthony Franco | July 19, 2022 at 9:47pm CDT

Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Friday, reports Mark Berman of Fox 26 (Twitter link). He’s scheduled to throw two innings for Double-A Corpus Christi.

Pitchers can spend up to 30 days on rehab assignments, so the start of his work suggests an early-mid August timetable for his return to the big leagues if all goes as expected. McCullers has yet to pitch this year as he’s rehabbed from the flexor tendon forearm strain that cut short his 2021 postseason. While the club initially expressed hope he’d be ready for Opening Day, McCullers’ offseason rehab didn’t progress as quickly as expected. He returned to mound work by late May and has spent the past six weeks gradually building back towards game readiness.

Getting McCullers back in mid-August should afford him time to round into shape for the postseason. The Astros lead the Mariners by nine games in the AL West, and they’re even further clear of the Twins for the league’s #2 seed (and associated first-round bye). They’re a virtual playoff lock, and a healthy McCullers will only add to the team’s embarrassment of riches on the mound. The right-hander was arguably the team’s best pitcher last year, tossing 162 1/3 innings of 3.16 ERA ball while punching out 27% of opponents.

Most teams would struggle to overcome the loss of an arm of that caliber, but the Astros have sported one of baseball’s top rotations. Houston’s starting staff trails only the Yankees in ERA (3.15) and the Padres in innings pitched (522 2/3). They’re seventh in strikeout rate (23.9%) and 11th in walk percentage (7%). Aside from McCullers, Houston’s rotation has stayed mostly healthy. Jake Odorizzi missed around six weeks with a heel injury, but each of Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia and José Urquidy has avoided the injured list. That sextet has combined to make all of the team’s starts, and Urquidy is the only member of the group with an ERA north of 3.76.

If everyone remains healthy, the Astros could consider kicking any of Odorizzi, Javier or Urquidy into relief. Houston’s bullpen has been similarly excellent, leading baseball with a 2.66 ERA. Their strong division lead should allow manager Dusty Baker to keep an eye on the innings totals for McCullers and Verlander (who missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery) to ensure they hit the postseason at peak form.

Share 0 Retweet 8 Send via email0

Houston Astros Lance McCullers Jr.

Pre-Break Sweep Raises Questions About Marlins’ Deadline Outlook
Main
Giants, Kyle Tyler Agree To Minor League Deal
View Comments (15)

Comments

  1. steven st croix

    1 year ago

    They are so well run. They might lose JV after this year and it really doesn’t matter. And Hunter Brown is just sitting in AAA.

    7
    Reply
  2. Neon Cop

    1 year ago

    Can I admit I totally forgot about this guy? Astros are stacked.

    3
    Reply
  3. astros_fan_84

    1 year ago

    I’d put McCullers in the bullpen for this year. Unless the Astros are planning to flip a starter for a longterm catcher or first baseman, SP isn’t a need.

    3
    Reply
    • oscar gamble

      1 year ago

      I agree. It doesn’t seem like there would be time to build him up as a starter.

      1
      Reply
      • JonathanJ

        1 year ago

        He just threw 40ish pitches in a simulated game. He won’t have a problem getting built up in 30 days.

        2
        Reply
        • astros_fan_84

          1 year ago

          Yeah, but how many 6 inning starts will he have going into October? Seems like he might not be ready.

          Reply
    • southern lion

      1 year ago

      Agreed.

      Reply
    • Astrosfn1979

      1 year ago

      Being in the bullpen has its own challenges.

      He would be a liability if he can’t pitch consecutive days, or at least on 1 day rest.

      1
      Reply
  4. Astrosfn1979

    1 year ago

    Rules limit his rehab to 30 days.

    That means the Astros must activate him and put him on the 26 man roster no later than Sunday 8/21 ( they are in Atlanta)

    Let’s say he pitched the day before on the 20th and they decide to give him 5 days of rest instead of typical 4 between each start.

    He is able to make 7 starts before the end of the season. Not to mention 5 rehab starts that will also be buildup.

    Plenty to build up and get ready for the playoffs.

    Reply
  5. stroh

    1 year ago

    McCullers will be back in the starting rotation, but likely they will limit his pitch count. The Stros already have 6 starters so look for one of them ( Javier, Garcia, Urquidy or Odorizzi) to become a tandem starter (6th-9th innings) with McCullers, or they trade someone for outfield, first base or left handed relief help.

    Reply
    • astros_fan_84

      1 year ago

      I’d just make McCullers the tandem guy.

      Reply
  6. Edp007

    1 year ago

    Just shows how hanging on to your pitching depth and adding to it always , allowing a high priced ace leave once in a while , makes for a sustainable contender year in year out . Other GMs should take note

    Reply
    • Astrosfn1979

      1 year ago

      But sometimes a team needs to deal from the depth in order to strengthen other areas.

      The Astros have started 6 guys so far this season

      Each one has 10+ starts and league average or better results.

      Lance McCullers and Hunter Brown are not among those 6.

      This team has an aging 1B who is having a down year and an aging LF with a bad shoulder. Both will be FA after the World Series.

      They need to take one or two of the young starters and trade for a guy to help at those 2 spots.

      1
      Reply
      • astros_fan_84

        1 year ago

        Very true, but JV might be gone next year. That seems more like an off-season move. If the Astros trade one starter, and then two go down, the team could be in dire straits. I prefer to trade other assets to improve LF and 1B. Ideally, the Astros can grab someone who can play both of those positions.

        Reply
      • Memphis Kong

        1 year ago

        Seems like Javier is the best chip we have followed by Hunter Brown. If that would get us someone in CF/FB/C that we retain control then maybe but there’s not much there. Bell and Contreras are rentals and not much on the CF market. So Clicks job is a tough one although he said he’s being agressive.

        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Reports: Ohtani Still Undecided On Next Club

    Red Sox Acquire Tyler O’Neill

    Braves Acquire Max Stassi, David Fletcher

    Diamondbacks Sign Eduardo Rodriguez To Four-Year Deal

    David Rubenstein Reportedly In Talks To Acquire Baltimore Orioles

    Astros Sign Victor Caratini To Two-Year Deal

    Orioles Sign Craig Kimbrel

    Yankees Acquire Juan Soto In Seven-Player Trade

    Reds Agree To Three-Year Deal With Jeimer Candelario

    Our MLB Contract Tracker Is Here!

    Rangers Sign Kirby Yates

    Seven Teams Emerge As Top Suitors For Yamamoto

    Report: Ohtani Decision “Expected” By Sunday

    Pirates Acquire Marco Gonzales

    Yankees Acquire Alex Verdugo

    Support Our Winter Meetings Coverage With An Ad-Free Subscription

    White Sox, Erick Fedde Agree To Two-Year Contract

    Jed Hoyer Denies Cubs Are Out On Shohei Ohtani

    Guardians Win Draft Lottery

    Roberts: Dodgers Met With Shohei Ohtani Recently

    Recent

    Reports: Ohtani Still Undecided On Next Club

    Red Sox Acquire Tyler O’Neill

    Braves Acquire Max Stassi, David Fletcher

    Latest On Orioles’ Ownership, Lease Situations

    Tigers Sign Anthony Bemboom, Brenan Hanifee To Minor League Deals

    Felix Pena Re-Signs With KBO’s Hanwha Eagles

    Giants Agree To Deals With Daulton Jefferies, Yoshi Tsutsugo

    Royals Exploring Pitching Market, Have Interest In Seth Lugo

    Diamondbacks Sign Eduardo Rodriguez To Four-Year Deal

    White Sox Outright Edgar Navarro

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Shohei Ohtani Rumors
    • Yoshinobu Yamamoto Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • 2023-24 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2024 Arbitration Salary Projections
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2023-24 Top 50 Free Agents List With Predictions
    • Free Agent Prediction Contest Leaderboard
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version