HOUSTON, TX - Astros right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow today, President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Jeff Luhnow announced.
McCullers Jr. will miss the 2019 season, but is expected to make a full recovery.
McCullers Jr., 25, was 10-6 in 2018 with a 3.86 ERA in 25 appearances (22 starts) while tallying 142 strikeouts in 128.0 innings of work. He posted a 10-4 record in his first 19 starts prior to the All-Star Break before being slowed by discomfort in his right elbow, causing him to miss 43 games while on the Disabled List from Aug. 5-Sept. 24. McCullers Jr. returned from the DL to make three scoreless relief appearances during the final week of the regular season. He went on to post a 1.80 ERA (1ER/5.0IP) in five postseason appearances, all in relief.
For his Major League career, McCullers Jr. is 29-22 in 83 appearances (80 starts) with a 3.67 ERA (185ER/453.2IP) and 509 strikeouts in 453.2 innings pitched.