McCullers returns from disabled list

September 24th, 2018
HOUSTON, TX - JULY 11: Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park on July 11, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)Bob Levey/Getty Images

Astros right-hander was reinstated from the disabled list on Monday, and the club also recalled lefty from Triple-A.
The 24-year-old will be available to pitch out of relief in Houston's series against Toronto. McCullers completed his third and final simulated game on Friday at the club's Spring Training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla. 
"I felt good over the three times I was out there," McCullers said. "There were some ups and downs, but that's part of getting back into pitching shape. I was happy with the way my body responded each time, and the way I looked and felt the last time [on Friday]. I want to pitch again."
On Friday, McCullers threw around 25 pitches, amounting to 1 1/3 innings. He said he was pleased with his breaking ball, worked on his fastball and changeup, and he was landing the pitches in the zone to both right-handed and left-handed batters. No Major League starting pitcher throws his curveball at a higher rate than McCullers.
McCullers, a 2017 All-Star, had been on the disabled list since Aug. 5 with a muscle strain in his right forearm. He is 10-6 with a 3.93 ERA in 22 starts with Houston, and he has 138 strikeouts in 126 innings.