Look who is coming back to the diamond. The long wait is finally coming to an end. The Astros’ veteran pitcher, who last appeared in a major league game during Game 3 of the 2022 World Series in Philadelphia, will take the ball this Sunday. His start will mark the finale of the Astros’ three-game series against the White Sox. This also starts the culmination of a grueling road back from injury for one of Houston’s most resilient arms. Guessed the name yet?

Yes, Astros’ right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. is poised to make his long-anticipated return to the mound after nearly two years on the sidelines.

McCullers has been battling a right flexor tendon injury that originally surfaced during the 2021 playoffs. The setback sidelined him for the first four months of the 2022 season, and lingering discomfort ultimately led to surgery in June 2023. He missed all of last season, and a setback during his rehab last June prompted the Astros to shut him down for the remainder of the 2024 campaign as well.

Now, after months of rehab, cautious optimism, and relentless work behind the scenes, McCullers is finally ready to take the ball again. A welcome sight for both the Astros and fans who’ve waited patiently for his return!

“Been waiting for it for a long time,” McCullers said. “Almost feel like I’m making my debut in some aspects, but it’s been a really long road for me.”

What a great addition to the already stacked Astros’ pitching lineup. McCullers last pitched in 2022 when he scored 4–2 with a 2.27 ERA in 47+2⁄3 innings with 50 SOs in eight starts. Hence, the team that ranks fourth in MLB team ERA this year would just get bolstered further with McCullers. Well, with McCullers, the team is going to get their clutch man back. How?

Remember McCullers’ heroics in the 2017 ALCS? In one of the most iconic postseason relief performances in Astros history, McCullers closed out Game 7 of the ALCS against the Yankees. He threw a record-breaking 24 consecutive curveballs, completely baffling hitters. He pitched the final four innings, allowing just one hit and no runs to send Houston to the World Series.

So, should the positions in the AL West be shuffled with the arrival of McCullers?

Momentum stays with the Astros 

​The Astros’ pitching staff has been a cornerstone of their 2025 season, showcasing both resilience and dominance. Currently, the team boasts a 16–14 record, placing them second in the AL West. Their pitching prowess isn’t just evident in traditional stats. They rank fourth in MLB team ERA and second in advanced metrics like FIP (3.38), SIERA (3.36), and Pitching+ (107). This indicates that their success is built on solid fundamentals rather than luck. 

​Now with McCullers joining in, Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez will look more frightening! Emerging as the ace of the rotation, Brown is throwing fire from the mound. With a 1.22 ERA over six starts and 40 strikeouts in 37 innings, he leads the team in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. In contrast, Hader has been nearly untouchable, recording a 1.80 ERA with 20 strikeouts. Imagine the next game against the White Sox that includes McCullers.

Hence, if McCullers stays healthy and effective, he can slot into the No. 2 or No. 3 role behind Brown and Valdez. This will reduce pressure on younger or fringe starters. With that being said, momentum is with the Astros’ pitching rotation. Expectations regarding their clean sweep against the White Sox got a notch above with the veteran pitcher in. A few ups and downs in the AL West rankings could thus be expected if all goes well for the Astros. What do you think?