The Houston Astros are reshaping their rotation, with Lance McCullers Jr. shifting to a temporary bullpen role to mix things up in the pitching staff. The move, described as short-term, comes as the club looks to reset workload and spark steadier performances on the mound.
McCullers, who returned to the majors this season after two consecutive injury-riddled years, has battled through elbow and forearm issues that kept him off the mound for extended periods. He underwent surgery in 2023 to repair a flexor tendon and remove bone spurs, and injuries limited him to just eight starts in 2022. After missing all of 2023 and 2024, his 2025 return has been bumpy. Since coming off the injured list in early May, he has twice landed back on the IL—first for a right foot sprain, then for a blister—and carries a 6.89 ERA across 12 starts. He has issued 14.3% walks and, in his latest return from the blister, allowed five walks in four innings in a recent outing. He also logged 48 1/3 innings this year, more than his total in the previous three seasons combined, underscoring the team’s desire to manage his workload.
Despite the hiccups, Houston remains atop the American League West, though their margin is slim. The lead over Seattle sits at a game and a half, and they’re only 4.5 games ahead of the Royals, the top AL non-playoff team at the moment. The Astros still face a critical stretch to secure a postseason berth over the next month.
The coaching staff appears intent on giving McCullers a reset by placing him in a bullpen role, hoping that dialing back his workload and retooling his mechanics will help him reemerge later in the season. The rotation landscape remains a mixture of proven performers and question marks. Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown provide a strong one-two, while Cristian Javier has endured a lengthy injury layoff. In his return, Javier has posted a 5.40 ERA with a 13% walk rate over his first three starts since coming back. Spencer Arrighetti has also been limited by injuries, producing a 6.21 ERA through six starts with a 17.6% strikeout rate and an 11.5% walk rate. Jason Alexander has a 2.91 ERA over his last six starts, but his career profile is that of a journeyman depth option.
The rotation’s struggles have also strained the bullpen, which has seen Josh Hader, Bennett Sousa and John Rooney land on the injured list, further thinning a relief corps already working to cover every inning.
There could be another boost on the horizon. Luis Garcia, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023, appears close to reinstatement. He is in a rehab cycle that has included nine outings totaling 30 rehab innings, during which he has posted a 3.30 ERA, a 31.1% strikeout rate and a 5.7% walk rate. In Triple-A, he has reportedly averaged 91.4 mph on his fastball this year, down from the 93–94 mph range he sat at in his original big-league appearances. Garcia and pitching coach Josh Miller have expressed confidence that he will regain velocity as he continues to progress. Garcia’s rehab assignment has a standard 30-day ceiling, but exceptions can extend the window to 60 days; the team would need him back by early September to be ready for roster expansion on September 1. He previously logged 352 big-league innings with a 3.61 ERA, a 25.3% strikeout rate and a 7.8% walk rate, so his return would provide a meaningful boost if he can recapture that form.
If Garcia is activated, the Astros will have a crucial decision to make about playoff rotations. Valdez and Brown are the anchors, but the third or fourth starter role will come down to who pitches best in the coming weeks, with options including Javier, Arrighetti and the possibility of McCullers returning to a relief-hinged path before contributing again in the rotation.
What to watch next
– McCullers transitioning to the bullpen: how long the move lasts and whether it unlocks a more efficient pitch mix and improved velocity or command.
– Garcia’s progression: velocity rebound, command in rehab outings, and how quickly he can be integrated into the rotation if cleared.
– The health trajectory of Javier, Arrighetti, and other depth options as they attempt to stabilize the back end of the rotation.
– September roster decisions and how the Astros balance rest, workload, and bullpen depth with a playoff berth in sight.
Bottom line: Houston is maneuvering to maximize its pitching depth amid injuries, hoping that a short-term shift for McCullers and a timely return for Garcia can stabilize the rotation and keep the club in strong playoff contention.
Summary takeaways
– Lance McCullers Jr. moved to the bullpen for a short-term reset.
– Luis Garcia nears reinstatement after a prolonged rehab following Tommy John surgery.
– The Astros’ rotation mix remains unsettled beyond Valdez and Brown, with several arms trying to regain form post-injury.
– The bullpen faces added stress from earlier injuries, making depth critical as the season progresses.