The defending champions got some potentially ominous news on Saturday.
Houston Astros righty Lance McCullers departed from his start against the Los Angeles Dodgers after four scoreless innings and just 60 pitches thrown. Shortly afterwards, the team tweeted that “right elbow discomfort” was the reason behind the 24-year-old’s early exit.
From the clubhouse: Lance McCullers Jr. left tonight's game with right elbow discomfort.
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 5, 2018
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic noted that McCullers had indeed gestured to his elbow multiple times immediately prior to his departure.
Here’s Lance McCullers Jr. after the second-to-last batter in the fourth inning, again gesturing towards his right elbow. pic.twitter.com/GtDrA5E7c3
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 5, 2018
McCullers, the former All-Star, entered play on Saturday with a 10-6 record and a 4.06 ERA in 21 starts for Houston this season.
It’s always a concern whenever elbow discomfort is mentioned in connection with a pitcher because that can often be an indicator of potential UCL damage.
As for the Astros, they have had a long list of injuries recently, but this could easily be their most concerning one yet.
