Astros' McCullers won't start season on time due to injury setback

The Houston Astros will begin the regular season without a big part of their starting rotation.

Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. won't be ready for Opening Day due to injury setbacks suffered during the offseason, Astros manager Dusty Baker announced on Monday, according to the Houston Chronicle's Chandler Rome.

Baker is optimistic McCullers will pitch this season.

McCullers was rehabbing a forearm strain he suffered during last season's playoffs. The injury caused him to miss the majority of the postseason.

During the offseason, McCullers had his arm examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who confirmed there were no issues with his ulnar collateral ligament. The hurler missed the entire 2019 season after having Tommy John surgery in November 2018.

McCullers went 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA and 10.3 K/9 across 28 starts in 2021. He wound up finishing seventh in AL Cy Young voting.