Barring an unexpected development, Lance McCullers will likely not rejoin the starting rotation this season. Instead, the Astros could hope to have the age-24 right-hander available out of the bullpen in September.
The latest update on McCullers is linked to a “slow down” in his throwing program. As noted by Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, it doesn’t appear that McCullers will be on a mound to throw in the near future. Even a bullpen session doesn’t seem to be in the cards in the short-term.
Based on Hinch’s comments in Rome’s article, the Astros could be aiming to bring McCullers back in a relief role.