Astros scratch Lance McCullers Jr., place starting pitcher on 15-day IL due to right shoulder inflammation
McCullers' injury is the latest Houston has had to navigate during a trying 2026 season.
Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. is struggling for the second season in a row. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) Kenneth Richmond via Getty Images The Houston Astros entered Tuesday with a 19-30 record and the worst ERA (5.
45) in MLB. Their injury-riddled pitching staff took another hit hours before first pitch, when they scratched starter Lance McCullers Jr. ahead of a road matchup versus the Minnesota Twins.
Houston placed McCullers on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to May 16. Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters the righty has been pitching through shoulder pain “for a while. ” “He’s been recovering well, kind of your normal, typical post-start soreness,” Espada said pregame, per The Athletic .
“But this week, he wasn’t able to get rid of it. We decided to get him seen by our doctors. ” McCullers is the latest member of Houston’s season-opening starting rotation to be bitten by the injury bug.