Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers injured his throwing elbow earlier this month. Elbow injuries with pitchers are always precarious as further damage can ultimately lead to Tommy John surgery. While Tommy John surgery isn’t the death sentence it used to be, it’s still a very long recovery.
The Astros don’t have an exact timetable for McCullers to return to but, it is expected for him to return before the playoffs. When he returns, the Astros won’t have the time get him stretched back out to be a starter so, they’ll bring him back in a bullpen role.