Lance McCullers Jr.
Breakdown
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September 28, 2025
No-decision in season finale
McCullers did not factor into Sunday's decision against the Angels, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four across three innings.
Analysis
McCullers was activated from the 15-day injured list Saturday after recovering from a right hand injury. He gave up a solo homer to Mike Trout in the first before keeping the Angels off the board over the next two frames, but he did not return to the mound for the fourth frame after tossing 54 pitches (35 strikes). McCullers will end the 2025 regular season with a 2-5 record across 16 games (13 starts) with a 6.51 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 61:39 K:BB over 55.1 innings. The 32-year-old right-hander is under contract with Houston through 2026.
September 28, 2025
Starting in season finale
McCullers will start Sunday's season finale against the Angels, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis
McCullers was activated from the 15-day injured list Saturday after missing the minimum amount of time with right hand soreness. The Astros have been eliminated from postseason contention for the first time since 2016, so McCullers will likely have a long leash Sunday. He owns a 6.71 ERA over 52.1 innings in 15 appearances and had been demoted to the bullpen in late August before landing on the shelf. McCullers remains under contract through 2026, and with the Astros set to be without all of Hayden Wesneski, Ronel Blanco, Luis Garcia and Brandon Walter for the majority or entirety of next season while the quartet recovers from elbow surgeries, McCullers stands a good chance of being included in the Opening Day rotation coming out of spring training.
September 27, 2025
Activated from IL
McCullers (hand) was activated from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis
McCullers will make his return to the major-league roster with just two games left in the regular season. The 31-year-old has been sidelined since Sept. 12 with right hand soreness, and he was at one point described to be "highly unlikely" to return to action in September by general manager Dana Brown. McCullers has posted a 6.71 ERA and 1.85 WHIP with 57 strikeouts over 52.1 innings in 15 appearances, including 12 starts, with Houston this season. In a corresponding move, Nick Hernandez was designated for assignment Saturday.
