Houston Astros’ Starting Pitching Woes Continue as McCullers Faces Setback
The Houston Astros entered the trade deadline with a clear need for starting pitching help, despite the potential returns of Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. from reconstructive elbow surgery. However, Tuesday’s developments highlighted the uncertainties surrounding their comebacks and intensified the team’s need for rotation help.
McCullers, in particular, has encountered setbacks in his rehabilitation. Manager Joe Espada revealed that McCullers is experiencing arm soreness, leading the team to “pull back” on his rehab progression. This news further underscores the Astros’ urgency to bolster their rotation by the July 30 trade deadline.
It was reported that McCullers had taken a break from throwing due to a family matter, but his discomfort persisted even after resuming bullpen sessions. As a result, he will be sidelined from throwing for a few days while the team reevaluates his situation. McCullers had been slightly behind Garcia in his rehab schedule, and their potential returns were seen as crucial additions to a rotation plagued by injuries.
Currently, the Astros only have four healthy starters on their 40-man roster. Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti, two of them, have limited experience at the major league level. Arrighetti, in particular, has struggled with a 5.96 ERA in 74 innings. Jake Bloss, the team’s fifth starter, left his major league debut with a shoulder injury. While he is expected to return soon, relying on a player with minimal experience for critical innings during a playoff chase is risky.
Ace Justin Verlander also remains sidelined with a neck injury and has yet to throw off a mound. While he has gradually increased the intensity and frequency of his throwing, there is no specific timetable for his return. Verlander needs to throw 83 more innings to trigger his $35 million vesting player option for the 2025 season, making it increasingly improbable.
In addition, Cristian Javier, J.P. France, and José Urquidy are expected to miss a significant portion of next season due to injury. This further emphasizes the need for the Astros to acquire a starter with multiple years of club control. While Urquidy and Javier may return in the second half of next season, they will face similar questions as Garcia and McCullers currently do.
Garcia, who last pitched for the Astros on May 1, may need at least three more minor league rehab starts before rejoining the major league rotation, potentially not until August. McCullers, on the other hand, already seemed destined to return in September, given his previous timeline. However, with his recent setback and the possibility of further medical examinations, his return becomes even more uncertain.
McCullers has faced multiple injuries throughout his career, including torn ulnar collateral ligament and flexor tendon surgery. He has only thrown 265 regular-season innings since the 2018 season but has shown his ability to perform at a high level when healthy. His experience in big games would have been valuable for a rotation lacking in postseason experience.
However, expecting immediate dominance from either McCullers or Garcia would be unrealistic. The team will exercise caution with their usage, and there are legitimate concerns about their effectiveness after such long layoffs from the majors.
The Astros cannot afford to wait for their returns while trying to make a playoff push. Acquiring additional starting pitching remains a top priority for general manager Dana Brown as he looks to address the team’s glaring need and bolster their chances of contending.