All you need to know about why is Lance McCullers not playing for the Houston Astros in Major League Baseball and extent of his absence.
The Houston Astros have revealed that their star right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. had forearm surgery on Tuesday. As a result, the right-hander will not be able to participate in the 2023 season. During the procedure, a bone spur was removed from McCullers’ body, and, more importantly, his damaged right flexor tendon was repaired.
After experiencing a muscle strain early on in Spring Training, McCullers has been working hard to recover from the injury. Last month, the general manager of the Houston Astros, Dana Brown, stated that the team was using the All-Star break as a very rough estimate for when McCullers would be fully ready to return to the lineup. However, since that time, McCullers has experienced a pair of setbacks, which has caused the team to revise their timeline.
Since the pain in his right arm persisted, he progressed from throwing off of mounds to throwing off of the flat ground before finally being taken out of action entirely. After a subsequent MRI presumably revealed the flexor tendon damage, and as a result, McCullers will now close the book on his 2023 season without throwing a single pitch, the injury has rendered him unable to play baseball at all.
There is a good chance that McCullers will be back in 2024, but there is also a very good chance that the right-handed pitcher won’t be ready for the beginning of Spring Training. The Astros’ hopes of winning the World Series for a second time have taken a significant hit as a result of this development.
As a result of his Tommy John surgery, McCullers will be sidelined for the entirety of the 2020 season, making this the second time in the last five years that he has been unable to play baseball. Last season, McCullers was only able to pitch 47 2/3 innings due to a flexor tendon strain that he sustained during the 2021 playoffs. However, he was able to return in time to make some starts down the stretch and throughout the postseason as the Astros went on to win the World Series.
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The Astros have already had to say goodbye to two members of their projected starting five due to season-ending injuries: Lance McCullers and Luis Garcia both had to undergo surgery for Tommy John syndrome. Even though an MRI came back clear, Jose Urquidy is not expected to return until after the All-Star break at the earliest. Urquidy has been on the 15-day disabled list since the beginning of May because of shoulder inflammation.
Is Lance McCullers having Tommy John surgery?
A flexor tendon surgery was performed on Lance McCullers Jr. earlier this week. As a result of the procedure, he will be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Even though this is a very unfortunate turn of events for McCullers as well as the fans in Houston, it is important to remember that things could have turned out much worse.
There was a chance that the right-handed batter, who throws right-handed, would call for a second Tommy John operation rather than the flexor tendon surgery that he ultimately required. A procedure of this nature would have rendered McCullers unavailable for at least a year, but the right-handed pitcher, who is now 29 years old, could start throwing again toward the end of the 2023 season or shortly after the conclusion of that season.
When was Lance McCullers drafted in MLB? Which college did he go to?
Lance McCullers Jr. was drafted into Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2012. He was selected by the Houston Astros in the first round of the MLB Draft, with the 41st overall pick. This marked the beginning of his professional baseball journey. Before his professional career, McCullers attended Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida. He was a standout player in high school, showcasing his talent as a pitcher. His impressive performances on the mound and his powerful arm caught the attention of scouts, making him a highly regarded prospect.
After graduating from high school, McCullers committed to play college baseball at the University of Florida. However, he decided to forgo his college commitment and instead signed with the Houston Astros after being drafted. McCullers began his professional career in the Astros’ minor league system. He quickly rose through the ranks, demonstrating his exceptional pitching abilities and earning recognition as one of the top prospects in the organization. His repertoire included a fastball with good velocity, a devastating curveball, and a developing changeup.
In 2015, McCullers made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros. He immediately showcased his talent, posting impressive numbers and earning a spot in the Astros’ starting rotation. McCullers’ combination of power pitching, command, and the ability to generate strikeouts made him a valuable asset for the team.
Throughout his career, McCullers has battled injuries but has also shown flashes of brilliance on the mound. His ability to generate swings and misses with his devastating breaking pitches has made him a formidable pitcher when healthy. He has played a key role in the Astros’ success in multiple World Series titles.
Lance McCullers Jr. has been a key contributor to the Houston Astros’ success over the past seven seasons. With 49 wins, 32 losses, an impressive ERA of 3.48, and 800 strikeouts, he has proven to be a reliable and impactful pitcher. His contributions were crucial in the Astros’ two World Series victories. However, his absence for the entire season will be sorely felt by the team as they embark on their title defense. McCullers’ skills, experience, and ability to perform in high-pressure situations will be greatly missed, making his absence a significant challenge for the Astros.
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