McCullers ‘not sure’ on status for Series

Forearm muscle ailment could still keep pitcher from rejoining starting rotation

After missing the Astros’ entire six-game win in the American League Championship Series, starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. said he’s “not sure” whether he could contribute during the World Series.

McCullers strained the flexor pronator muscle in his right forearm during Houston’s 10-1 win in Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox. Manager Dusty Baker said Thursday that McCullers has not resumed throwing a baseball and that “nothing’s changed” with his status.

“Fortunately, we have a couple extra days now to kind of assess and see how that is,” general manager James Click said after Friday’s 5-0 win over the Boston Red Sox. “We’ll see how that is. I hope so. When he’s right, he’s one of the most unhittable pitchers in baseball. Having him in at the front of our rotation, or somewhere in the rotation depending on how much he can build up, would be a real shot in the arm.”

McCullers’ continued inactivity does not portend well for his World Series status. Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday against either the Dodgers or Braves.

Houston’s starting rotation had a roller-coaster ALCS in McCullers’ absence. Framber Valdez, Luis Garcia and José2 Urquidy teamed to throw just 5 ⁄3 innings across the first three games, taxing Houston’s bullpen. Valdez and Garcia rebounded to throw 132⁄3 innings of one-run ball across Games 5 and 6.

Valdez, Garcia and Urquidy are almost guaranteed to comprise Houston’s World Series rotation in the first three games. If McCullers cannot pitch, the Astros can choose from either Jake Odorizzi or Cristian Javier to slot fourth. Odorizzi was scheduled to start Game 4 of the ALCS but threw 82 pitches in relief of Garcia during Game 2.

Javier’s two ALCS relief appearances created a compelling case for his inclusion in a World Series rotation. He struck out seven Red Sox across five scoreless innings, including a brilliant three-inning stint during Houston’s 9-2 win in Game 4.

Javier is not built up beyond 50 or 60 pitches, though, perhaps leaving Odorizzi as the most logical choice.

Brett Coomer / Staff photographer Lance McCullers Jr.’s lack of activity doesn’t bode well for his availability for Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday.