Astros under pressure as Lance McCullers Jr heads to 15 day IL
Image Source: Getty
The Houston Astros got hit with another big loss Sunday, when veteran right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. was placed on the 15-day injured list because of a right foot sprain. The transaction, backdated to June 13, comes right as the team embarks on a critical run of 13 consecutive games without a day off.
This represents a new hurdle for McCullers, who has already fought his way back from multiple arm surgeries, and it also means the Astros must adjust their now even-battered starting rotation yet again.
Lance McCullers Jr injury
adds to Houston
Astros pitching concerns
It was a return — a slow one — from a season-ending October 2022 injury for McCullers, whose 2025 season had been a series of steps back. After undergoing flexor tendon and bone spur surgeries that cost him all of 2023 and 2024, he returned to make seven starts this season, going 1–2 with a 4.91 ERA in 29⅓ innings.
His play was still working itself into form, but he still added another layer to a Houston rotation that was already down a few regulars in the game.
Now, his latest injury makes the challenges the club faces even greater. This season, Houston has relied heavily on rookies and spot starters, as Colton Gordon and Brandon Walter have stepped into the fray as Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown have continued to fill in as veteran leadership.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
임플란트 29만원 이벤트
임플란트
더 알아보기
Undo
The lack of rotation depth is putting pressure not only on manager Joe Espada, but also the front office to make a well-weighed which creates lots of decisions.
Astros rotation reshuffle begins after McCullers Jr lands on IL
Rookie Ryan Gusto is in line to start in place of McCullers, along with veteran righty Jason Alexander being recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land to start Tuesday. Though numbers are numbers, Alexander has put together a pretty impressive year in the minors: 1.74 ERA, but at the same time, his MLB numbers (6.37 ERA) are hard to ignore when it comes to sustainability at the highest level.
With the Astros at 41–30 and in first place in the AL West, they are entering a tough stretch of their schedule. How the rest of the team adjusts to life without McCullers is one of the biggest storylines heading into July, and it will surely test the front office's commitment toward a six-man rotation.
Also Read:
What led Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. to hire security for himself and his daughter
Espada said after the announcement, there would be pressure:
"We have depth, but it's being tested on a daily basis. We'll see who steps up.'
Houston is eyeing a playoff spot and a division championship with no more room for missteps, and that gives McCullers' recovery timetable even greater importance.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Three quick second-half tallies lift Loons over Dynamo
Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored a brace as Minnesota United tallied three times in a 11-minute span midway through the second half en route to a 3-1 victory over Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night in Saint Paul, Minn. HT Image Robin Lod also scored a goal and Wessel Speel finished with one save for the Loons , who sit in third place in Major League Soccer's Western Conference. Felipe Andrade scored a goal and Jonathan Bond had one save for Houston , which took its third straight loss. Hlongwane gave the Loons a 1-0 lead in the 60th minute. The midfielder finished a right-footed redirect from the left side of the 6-yard box off a Jefferson Diaz flick-on header from Michael Boxall's long throw-in. Three minute later, Hlongwane smashed in an Anthony Markanich cross from the left baseline to make it 2-0 with his third goal of the season. Lod extended the lead to 3-0 in the 70th minute, drilling a left-footed shot from the left side of the box into the far right corner off a long curling Julian Gressel cross from the right wing. Andrade broke up Speel's bid for his first career MLS clean sheet in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time when he netted a left-footed shot from the middle of the box into the left corner for his third goal. With both teams coming in off two-goal home losses, defense dominated during a chippy, foul-plagued scoreless first half. The two teams combined for just nine shot attempts compared to 20 total fouls, with each side getting just one shot on goal and one yellow card. Houston's best early scoring chance came in the eighth minute when defender Erik Sviatchenko fired a spinning left-footed shot from the center of the box that Speel easily saved. Minnesota's best attempt came in the 33rd minute after Lod stole the ball and passed to a wide-open Markanich at the left edge of the 6-yard box. Markanich scuffed his shot into the side of the net. Boxall, named to his first MLS All-Star team earlier in the day, was originally called for a foul in the penalty box after a slide tackle on Sebastian Kowalczyk in first-half stoppage time. However, after a lengthy video review, it was determined that the foul occurred just outside the box. Ezequiel Ponce's ensuing free kick was then blocked by the wall. Field Level Media This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
'I wanna bury these ni**as' — Kevin Durant sends chilling message after Houston Rockets trade
(Image Source - Getty Images) Houston's offseason just got wild. Kevin Durant found out he was traded to the Rockets while on stage at Fanatics Fest—and later posted a chilling message on Instagram: 'I wanna bury these ni**as like 20 feet down…' This wasn't a goodbye—it was a warning. The Rockets, coming off a strong 52-win season with coach Ime Udoka and Fred VanVleet, just got even scarier. With Durant, things are about to get serious. Rockets land Kevin Durant in blockbuster trade and get a chilling rallying cry The big trade, wrapped up on June 22 and effective from July 6, has Durant heading to Houston in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 2025 No. 10 draft pick, and five second-round picks. Notably, Durant discovered the news live at New York's Fanatics Fest before he confirmed it on his Instagram Story—the same platform where he quietly dropped a serious threat: 'Anyone else would retire, but I'm not content. I wanna bury these ni**as like 20 feet down. So no one can find them again," borrowing Drake's line from Smiley's 2021 single'. This line is taken from Drake's verse in Smiley's 2021 song Over the Top, and it clearly shows that Durant is aiming for dominance, not just hanging up his sneakers. He steps into a Rockets locker room that's still buzzing from its best season since 2020. With coach Ime Udoka—who just secured a sweet long-term deal—they powered through to a 52-30 record and snagged the Southwest Division title, but ended up losing in a nail-biting seven-game series against the Warriors. To get ready for Durant, Houston locked in Fred VanVleet with a fresh two-year, $50 million deal and also extended veteran center Steven Adams. This is a clear shift from rebuilding to a win-now approach, with championship goals taking the spotlight. Bringing in a Hall-of-Fame-worthy forward—who comes with two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, four scoring championships, and 15 All-Star appearances—dramatically shifts Houston's competitive dynamics. On the court, twins Amen Thompson and center Alperen Şengün now have exceptional scoring help. Meanwhile, off the court, the front office is focused on ensuring long-term consistency and effective leadership. Also Read: NBA Draft 2025: Key dates, full order, top picks, and prospect buzz you shouldn't miss As Houston embarks on a fresh journey, all indications lead to one conclusion: Kevin Durant isn't just signing with the Rockets—he's altering the narrative. His Instagram post wasn't a retirement announcement; it was a rallying cry. For a team climbing out of the depths into genuine contention, the stakes are high. With a dynamic roster and a bold superstar, the Rockets' season won't just be seen—it'll be felt. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Kevin Durant plans to end career with Houston Rockets as extension talks loom ahead of 2025–26 season
What if Kevin Durant's last chapter in the NBA is in Houston? According to Shams Charania from ESPN, that's what's going down. On The Pat McAfee Show this week, Charania confirmed that both Durant and the Houston Rockets are anticipating an extension—and even hinted that Durant might "give a little bit of money back. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now " At 37 in September and entering the final year of a one-year, $54.7 million deal, Durant and Houston could be planning a career-ending alliance that alters the NBA landscape. Kevin Durant willing to take less than maximum salary to keep Houston Rockets below luxury tax line Last week's major trade saw the Phoenix Suns move Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, getting back guard Jalen Green, forward Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks in return. Durant, who had an impressive season averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists with a 43% three-point shooting percentage, is now joining a Rockets squad led by coach Ime Udoka, who finished second in the Western Conference but was eliminated in the first round. Meanwhile, the key players for Denver—Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Amen Thompson—are expected to get significant pay raises beginning in the 2025–26 season. Bringing Durant into the fold could risk pushing Houston's salary cap into luxury tax territory, but Charania noted that Durant might consider signing for less than the maximum to preserve Houston's financial flexibility. This readiness could play a vital role in the Rockets' quest for a championship while also supporting their young talent. Charania mentioned that the negotiations regarding Durant's contract, along with his business manager Rich Kleiman and GM Rafael Stone, are more than just ideas—they're on the calendar. Expected to start in July or August, the discussions will center on a two-year extension that could be worth between $121 and $122 million, potentially allowing Durant to remain in Houston until he reaches 39 years old. Durant's previous actions—like taking a pay cut with the Warriors in 2017 to help maintain their championship roster—provide a basis for this kind of adaptability. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Also Read: This partnership—Durant's seasoned insight and the Rockets' rising young stars under Udoka—indicates a transition from Houston's recent long-term rebuilding approach to a true win-now game plan. ESPN analysts have already raised their title odds, ranking Houston fourth in the NBA championship probability post-trade.
