WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Houston Astros’ already depleted starting rotation took another hit due to what manager Joe Espada described as a “freak accident.”
Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. sprained his right foot while working out in the team’s weight room on Saturday. He had been scheduled to start Monday’s series opener against the A’s at Sutter Health Park but was instead placed on the injured list, becoming the fourth Astros starter to land there in the first 72 games of the season.
McCullers did not travel with the team to Sacramento and was unavailable for comment. Espada explained the injury occurred when McCullers “kind of rolled his foot” during his workout. The sprain is located just above the big toe.
“We’ve got some work lined up for him at home,” Espada said. “We’re hopeful he’ll be back in about two weeks.”
The IL stint is retroactive to June 13, making McCullers eligible to return as early as June 28 against the Chicago Cubs at Daikin Park.
This marks McCullers’ second trip to the IL this season. The 31-year-old returned to action just last month after missing 915 days recovering from flexor tendon surgery in June 2023. Since rejoining the rotation on May 4, he’s made seven starts with a 4.91 ERA, offering some stability amid the team’s injury woes.
Now, seven Astros starters are on the IL. Ronel Blanco and Hayden Wesneski are out for the year following Tommy John surgery, while Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia — both recovering from the same procedure — have not yet faced live hitters, a key step before beginning a rehab assignment.
These injury setbacks will likely influence Houston’s approach to the upcoming trade deadline, according to team insiders.
With the Astros in the middle of a stretch of 13 consecutive games, they’ve been using a six-man rotation. Rookie Ryan Gusto filled in for McCullers on Monday. The team has yet to name Tuesday’s starter.
Veteran Jason Alexander, called up from Triple-A Sugar Land to replace McCullers on the 26-man roster, is a likely candidate. Alexander last pitched Wednesday for Sugar Land, allowing one run over 4 2/3 innings. Since being claimed off waivers from the A’s last month, he has posted a 1.74 ERA in 20 2/3 innings with Houston’s organization.
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