Astros Hoping For Positive Update on McCullers Jr. Friday

It appears as though Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. will miss more time than originally expected and the timetable for his return remains uncertain.

In the latest setback for the 29-year-old right-hander, McCullers is scheduled to have an MRI on Friday for further evaluation on his injured right forearm.

“Lance has worked his tail off and really grinded through trying to get through the rehab," Astros General Manager Dana Brown told MLB.com. "Him getting up to 35 pitches off the mound and getting up to 93, it was an exciting time, especially with the starting rotation where it was losing two guys [José Urquidy and Luis Garcia] already. Hopefully we'll get some clarity early next week."

After missing all of 2019 due to Tommy John surgery, McCullers returned to pitch in 2020 and 2021 prior to missing half of 2022 due to injury.

McCullers has yet to pitch in 2023 after posting a 4-2 record last season with a 2.27 ERA, 50 strikeouts and a 1.24 WHIP.

McCullers was originally expected to be back with the team by mid-May after the righty injured his arm in spring training and was rehabbing towards a return, but he had yet another setback which  lead to the decision to send him back to team doctors for further evaluation.

Over his entire career, McCullers has a 49-32 record over 130 games (718.2 innings pitched) with a 3.48 ERA, 800 strikeouts and a 1.25 WHIP.

Stay tuned to Inside the Astros for the latest injury news, updates and more.