Lance McCullers Jr. hasn’t pitched since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series, while Luis Garcia’s last MLB game was on May 1, 2023. The long layoffs for both Astros right-handers will extend at least a bit into the coming season, as Houston GM Dana Brown told the Athletic’s Chandler Rome (multiple links) and other reporters that neither pitcher is expected to be ready for the Opening Day roster. Both McCullers and Garcia are throwing, however, so Brown doesn’t think either righty will sidelined for too long into April.
Garcia underwent a Tommy John surgery in May 2023 and was initially expected to be back in action near the end of last season. He started a minor league rehab assignment last June and was seemingly on the path to making that timeline, yet some lingering soreness between outings led to a pair of shutdowns, and the Astros ultimately announced last August that Garcia wouldn’t pitch in 2024.
Garcia shed some more light on his situation when speaking with Rome today, saying that some tightness in his throwing elbow in September led to a six-week shutdown for evaluation. Fortunately, Garcia emerged from that latest setback without any serious injury, and now says he is feeling good as Spring Training approaches.
McCullers has battled injuries throughout his career, including a Tommy John procedure that cost him all of the 2019 season. A right flexor tendon strain cost him most of the 2022 season before he returned that August to pitch in the Astros’ rotation down the stretch, and over three playoff starts during Houston’s run to the World Series title.
Heading into the 2023 campaign, McCullers developed a muscle strain during Spring Training, and then more flexor tendon damage emerged during his rehab process, leading to a surgery in June 2023. He started a throwing program last summer that included some proper bullpen sessions, but like Garcia, McCullers also had trouble fully recovering in between outings.
McCullers didn’t progress far enough to start a rehab assignment in the minors, so he is now over two years removed from any game activity whatsoever. It isn’t known why McCullers won’t be ready for Opening Day, unless it is simply because the Astros want to give him as much ramp-up time as possible to prepare after such a long time away from game action. Given how many setbacks both pitchers have already endured, it can’t help but be viewed as something of a red flag that Garcia and McCullers will again begin the season on the injured list, even if Brown indicated that the Astros were just being cautious.
The team does have a full starting five (Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco, Spencer Arrighetti, Hayden Wesneski) penciled in to start the season, with Garcia and McCullers hopefully able to provide depth relatively soon after Opening Day. J.P. France is aiming to be back in action by July as he recovers from shoulder surgery, while an August return would be a best-case scenario for Cristian Javier as he rehabs from a TJ surgery from last June.
Has Jr ever been healthy?
No because they aren’t smart enough to stick him in the bullpen where he belongs.
It is what happens when you throw about 25 curve balls in a row!
He should learn Randy Bertram’s Basketball Sweeper or whatever
Grasping the Roger Beshens Football Slider could be crucial for Lance McCullers to make a strong comeback.
He reminds me of Gary Nolan over the last 2/3 of his career or so. His instances of being 100% are few and fleeting. The guy is never gonna be truly healthy.
Reminds me of Jaime Garcia. Wins when healthy but isn’t always healthy
Stros always find/develop pitching gems
But dang what did they do to mccullers & garcia that they havent pitched in 2-3 yrs and still not fully healed?
Because they aren’t smart enough to stick Lance in the pen where he belongs.
Funny how we have the guy that idolizes a moron such as John Rocker claiming that the front office of a professional baseball team that consistently does nothing but win isn’t as smart as he is.
John Rocker was a prophet
Bashing John Rocker just never gets old, does it? Maybe his username refers to Kumar.
Without a doubt – a prophet for the lowest common denominator.
“John Rocker was a pathetic…”. Please finish the sentence! Don’t just leave us hanging!
Were you one of the AIDs-ridden homosexual teenagers John saw on the subway?
@fetchfan – In the state of magatville, the bar has been lowered to almost unimaginable levels, so I give you your just due for managing to slither underneath it.
I’m not sure. Which year are we talking about?
lmao “magatville”
You aren’t a rational person and to replicate your logic would be to peer into a broken mind
Okay fetchboy – it will be difficult to live without your wit and wisdom, but I will have to make do.
You are a sad, broken man
I’m praying for you and hope you seek mental help
You are a just and pious man, and your kindness is noted.
They can always call the Padres and ask for DC
I’m not sure the Astros have the prospects to get a deal done and the Padres aren’t likely to want Pressly to offset salary
If they don’t put McCullers in the bullpen that is criminal. He can’t stay healthy, and even when healthy can’t make it past 4 innings. It’s like Jerry Jones is the GM if they continue to try and stick Lance in the rotation.
It probably has more to do with what Lance is willing to do & how hard the Trashtros are willing to push for a move to the pen.
I would tend to believe that a guy who can’t stay healthy pitching once every five days, probably can’t go three times in that time frame.
Has anyone considered putting Lance in the bullpen..
hahahaha!
Lance Sr, if i recall correctly, was a stud in the Padres bullpen who was sidetracked with… Little nagging injuries. True, not bad like Junior’s…
Why don’t these guys take Norm Sherry’s advice to Sandy Koufax and ease up a little and pitch smarter, not harder?
Just wondering…
Lance ain’t ever gonna be ready.
Underrated stinker of a contract
I have seen so many “Move McCullers to the bullpen” posts EVERYWHERE, not just here.
The reports are that the Astros doctors believe a set throwing routine with scheduled rest between outings would be less stressful on his arm than irregular usage.
Apparently, Lance’s personal doctor agrees.
There is a chance, since that has not worked, they change their opinions and move him to the bullpen as a last chance to save his career, but they are not at that point yet
At least he got a bag before his injuries ultimately end his career prematurely. Such a shame too because he legitimately has fantastic stuff
He is less than 6 weeks away from 10 yrs of MLB service time which is a big big deal.
If he is indeed done, nobody will say anything until late May.
But a Stephen Strasburg type retirement announcement could come out then.
If Garcia and McCullers not going to be ready
Opening day why look around and see what Free Agents r still out there and the Astros can sign 2 of them till Garcia and McCullers r ready to come back.
Not going to happen.
The owner us determined to stay under the CBT and there are too many holes on the position side that must be a priority for whatever money they do spend.
I absolutely positively cannot believe this. Chuckle
Sometimes I genuinely forget Lance McCullers Jr exists
Hasn’t pitched in game in over 2yrs n he’s still not healthy. Musta been all those curves, he threw ton of em.