Astros Get Concerning Injury Update on All-Star Pitcher

Lance McCullers Jr. has had a tough time with injuries lately. After missing most of the 2022 campaign with a right flexor tendon strain, he's already dealing with another injury at the start of Spring Training.

On Saturday, the Houston Astros announced that McCullers had been temporarily shut down from throwing with right arm soreness.

Lance McCullers Injury Update

Manager Dusty Baker wasn't able to give a concrete timeline on when McCullers would be able to resume throwing, so it seems like a wait-and-see situation at the moment.

Given his recent history, however, Astros fans have reasons to be concerned about McCullers. The former All-Star and World Series champ has had immense difficulty staying healthy in his career, undergoing Tommy John surgery and topping 130 innings just once in his seven seasons. His results have usually been stellar when he is able to pitch, but unfortunately, he just hasn't been available often enough.

Houston is hopeful that McCullers will have better luck in his age-29 season after making just eight regular-season starts last year. The reigning World Series champs are counting on him to step up and stay healthy after losing ace Justin Verlander in the offseason.

That seems like a risky bet given McCullers' track record, but it's one Houston has already made after signing him to a five-year, $85 million contract that runs through 2026.