The Houston Astros right-hand pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. had forearm surgery on Tuesday that will rule him out for the remainder of the 2023 MLB season. The Astros confirmed the news the next day, saying that the procedure was a success and that McCullers is expected to return to full action next season.
McCullers originally injured his right forearm during the 2021 playoffs and was diagnosed with a flexor tendon strain. He missed the start of the 2022 campaign but recovered in time to contribute to the Astros’ World Series-winning run. But it turned out that the issue didn’t go away as McCullers reaggravated the injury during this year’s spring training.
Astros general manager Dana Brown said in a team-released statement that McCullers “worked off his tail” to return but couldn’t shake off the injury completely. In the end, the decision was made to have surgery that would take care of the issue and have the 29-year-old player ready for 2024.
“This guy is a warrior and did everything in his power to get back,” said Brown. “But each time he built himself up to an increased pitch total off the mound, the pain would come back. It’s unfortunate, but we look forward to him being back on the mound next season.”
Lance McCullers Jr. spent all of his seven years in the majors with the Houston Astros. He has a 49–32 record as a starter with a 3.48 ERA and 800 strikeouts. McCullers was an All-Star in 2017, the same year the Astros won the first World Series in franchise history.
