Astros' Star Pitcher Making Progress With Injury

In the middle of their postseason run, the Houston Astros lost star pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. due to a flexor pronator muscle strain. The 28-year-old is making progress, however, as he told reporters that he will begin throwing next month and that a recent MRI showed no structural damage. With this, it seems he should be ready for Spring Training.

Speaking at NRG Stadium before the Texans game, Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm strain) said he should start throwing in "about a month." He said he had another MRI a week and a half ago that came back clean and Dr. Neal ElAttrache said his graft from his 2019 Tommy John looks good.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) December 5, 2021

The Astros certainly should be happy that McCullers Jr.'s injury isn't worsening. He is one of their most important pitchers and had an excellent 2021 campaign. In 28 games, he sported a 13-5 record, 3.16 ERA and had 185 strikeouts.

The injury was very scary in the moment, as McCullers Jr. does have a Tommy John surgery on his resume. This resulted in him missing the entirety of the 2019 season, of course.

Now that it's the offseason, McCullers Jr. has plenty of time to rest his injury and then slowly prepare himself for the regular season. It's great to hear that the 2017 All-Star should be back for Houston this spring.