Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. has been activated from the 60-day injured list to start the Astros’ game against the Athletics today. In corresponding moves, outfielder Michael Brantley (who just underwent season-ending shoulder surgery) was moved to the 60-day IL, while right-hander Seth Martinez was optioned to Triple-A.
McCullers will be taking the hill for the first time since October 12, when he tossed four innings in Game 4 of the ALDS — a 10-2 win that clinched Houston’s series win over the White Sox. A flexor tendon forearm strain then sidelined McCullers for the remainder of the Astros’ postseason run and for much of this 2022 season, as a setback during the rehab process delayed the right-hander from making his debut until today.
A healthy McCullers represents a nice late-season boost to a rotation that is already arguably baseball’s best. McCullers’ impending return allowed Houston the luxury of moving Jake Odorizzi at the trade deadline, as the Astros can slot McCullers right into a six-man rotation that also includes Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Jose Urquidy, Luis Garcia, and Cristian Javier. That pitching depth also extends to the bullpen, as on most teams, Martinez’s 2.48 ERA in 32 2/3 innings would merit a larger role, not a demotion to the minors.
Even amidst all these other quality arms, McCullers can certainly factor into the Astros’ starting plans for this year’s postseason, as the Astros again look to make a deep October run. McCullers has a 3.35 ERA over his last 217 1/3 innings in the regular season, since returning from the Tommy John surgery that erased his entire 2019 campaign. In 2021, McCullers factored into Cy Young Award voting for the first time, finishing seventh on the ballot.
JV, Framber, and LMJ are a though 1,2,3 to face in a series.
I prefer Lance in the super reliever role he had in the 2017-18 playoffs. JV, Framber, Garcia, and Javier are plenty formidable.
Astros looking good again this year and this only helps their chances. Maybe an Astros-Mets tilt in October?
You know you’re deep when you’re optioning Seth Martinez !
Yeah, this is tough. I’d have kept him here and sent Abreu down.
I’d have kept him and DFA’d Will Smith!
Abreu is out of options I believe
Next person who calls them the Trashtros or refers to the ‘cheating’ (all teams ‘cheat’, despite what the deniers think), there’s going to be a problem.
Lol Trashtros.
Recyclestros.
I think the Astros have built such a successful organization since 2015 that the only comeback people resort to are “transcan’ and ‘cheater’. With 5 straight LCS’, 3 WS appearances and 1 WS crown, I think they are a more successful organization just since 2015 than maybe 25% of all MLB clubs entire history.
Los Chicos de la Basura
Lol come at me Trashtros.
He’s not an Astros fan – he just posts that all the time to watch y’all react.
Haven’t won since they stopped cheating
haven’t stopped winning
And haven’t stopped whining.
Well, a lot of trash teams out in MLB that still haven’t won a playoff series. I’d like to see a decline in the number of trash teams. I’d rather watch 1,000 HOU-NYY tilts instead of one PIT-DET tilt.
Good to see him back, but his numbers and velocity in AAA rehab was not up to his usual stuff. He says he is working through it and it’s getting better. We’ll see.
The most honest team in MLB, because they admitted to cheating (and stopped), while everyone else cheats (still does) and pretends that they don’t.
Astros will be out in the first round. Now that that is out of the way, I did some research on male cat owners and it seems most of them use an expensive shaving cream, prefer white wine to red, and position themselves on the left side of the bed while asleep. Only 3% own pools, 12% have been to a Disney Park as an adult, and 64% reported owing at least one harbound cookbook
Astros have a decent chance and don’t know what it has to do with cats. Yankees have no chance.
I use the same jeweler as some big name rappers and even they couldn’t get pieces done right now because the guy is too busy getting proper sizing and design elements for the Yankees. I can’t say much else as it’s part of the NDA I’ve signed, but I can assure you that they will be the best rings ever designed and may or may not come with a diamond encrusted Statue Of Liberty
LOL. The only rings the Yanks need to size for is found in a box of Fruit Loops.
Your comment is dumb and outdated to say the least. When you’re done living under a rock, you’ll realize they stopped putting trinkets in cereal thirty years ago. The New York Yankees have already applied for and have already been approved permits for the parade. You don’t just get that if you don’t have authorization from MLB that you’ve already won the WorldSeries.
I can’t hate AND love this whole string more…
The rich get richer.
McCullers went 6 shutout innings in his 2022 debut tonite vs As. Looked pretty good
A’s make everyone look good
That is the beauty of MLB baseball. Only 7 of the last 27 World Series titles belong to teams with MLB’s best record.
Whichever team builds momentum headed into the playoffs will be a force.
That being said, I believe the Yankees will be formidable in the playoffs.
McCullers makes most teams look like they belong in AAA, but to be off for a year and go 6 innings for a shutout is impressive, As or otherwise.
LMJ will come back and make a strong rotation even better. Cheaters or not, everything the Astros touch turns to gold. They are going to plow through a weak AL playoff field.