After 71 games into the MLB season, the Houston Astros once again sit atop the American League West—continuing a dominant trend that has seen them finish first in every full season since 2017, with the exception of the shortened 2020 campaign, when they finished second. Over this remarkable stretch, they’ve appeared in four World Series and captured two titles. Their current 41-30 record includes wins in eight of their last ten games—and five straight victories—but not everything is going smoothly for the reigning division leaders.
On Monday, the Astros placed Lance McCullers Jr. on the injured list, just five weeks after he made a much-anticipated return following two years away from the game due to flexor tendon surgery. McCullers, who was instrumental in Houston’s 2017 World Series run, famously threw 24 straight curveballs to close out Game 7 of the ALCS against the Yankees, earning the only save of his career and helping the Astros reach just their second World Series in franchise history.
McCullers’ May 4 return against the White Sox provided a big emotional lift, as the team was just 17-15 and sitting in third place at the time. Since then, the Astros have gone 25-15, despite McCullers holding a 1-2 record across seven starts. The team won four of those games regardless.
Now, McCullers is sidelined again—but this time, the issue isn’t with his arm. Per the Houston Chronicle, the 31-year-old is dealing with a sprained right foot. He last pitched the previous Tuesday, taking a loss after allowing four runs over five innings against the White Sox. The team hasn’t clarified whether the injury happened during that game or afterward. He had been slated to start Monday’s game against the Athletics in West Sacramento, California. His IL stint is retroactive to Friday, though it’s unclear whether he’ll need more than the minimum 15 days to recover.
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