The Astros reinstated McCullers (foot) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start against the Cubs on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

McCullers was been out of action since mid-June due to a right foot sprain, but he showed enough progress during his bullpen sessions to skip a rehab assignment and will rejoin the Astros' rotation Saturday. Nick Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land following Friday's game to make room on the 26-man roster for McCullers.

McCullers (foot) will come off the 15-day injured list Saturday and will start against the Cubs, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCullers landed on the 15-day injured list in mid-June due to a right foot sprain. He resumed throwing shortly after his move to the IL and showed enough progress during his bullpen sessions to forego a rehab assignment. McCullers posted a 3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB in 25.1 innings across five starts prior to landing on the IL.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that McCullers (foot) is an "option" to start Saturday versus the Cubs, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCullers did some pitchers' fielding practice Thursday as he returns from a right foot sprain and it "went well," per Espada. As long as the pitcher bounces back well Friday, it sounds like he'll skip a rehab assignment and rejoin the rotation Saturday, which is the first day he's eligible.

McCullers (foot) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander landed on the shelf June 16 due to a right foot sprain, and he was only kept off the mound for about a week. Assuming McCullers can continue ramping his throwing program back up with now issues, he may not be looking at an extended absence.

McCullers (foot) played catch Saturday and is scheduled to do so again Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Joe Espada relayed that McCullers could start throwing off a mound Monday as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks. McCullers landed on the 15-day injured list this past Monday due to a right foot sprain. How his foot reacts to increased work will give the Astros a better sense of when McCullers can embark on a rehab assignment, if one is needed.

The Astros placed McCullers on the 15-day injured list Monday due to a right foot sprain, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCullers' move to the IL was unexpected, as the Astros had listed the right-hander as their starter for Monday's series opener in Sacramento before he presumably sustained the injury at some point during or shortly after his most recent outing last Tuesday versus the White Sox. Astros manager Joe Espada will likely provide more details on the severity of McCullers' injury later Monday. Ryan Gusto will be moved up a day in the pitching schedule to take the hill for the series opener against the Athletics in place of McCullers, while Jason Alexander was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land and could be needed to make a spot start Tuesday.

McCullers (1-2) took the loss Tuesday, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks over five innings in a 4-2 loss against the White Sox. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander struggled to find a rhythm Tuesday, with Luis Robert giving him particular trouble via an RBI double in the second inning and a solo homer in the fourth inning. McCullers has had an inconsistent season, recording scoreless outings in three of his seven starts but allowing multiple runs in the other four -- including a rough appearance against the Reds in which he surrendered seven runs in just one-third of an inning. Statistically, the 31-year-old owns a 4.44 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 24.1 innings.

Manager Joe Espada said Friday that the Astros are giving McCullers additional rest, and he won't make his usual turn through the rotation, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCullers' typical turn in the rotation would come Sunday against Cleveland but the start is now pushed back and expected to occur Tuesday against the White Sox. Espada did not name a starter for Sunday's contest.

McCullers is not listed among the Astros' probable pitchers for this weekend's series in Cleveland, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCullers' next turn comes up Sunday, but the team is listing TBA in that slot for now. Manager Joe Espada did not rule out McCullers ultimately taking the ball that day, but it appears Tuesday versus the White Sox is likelier for the righty after McCullers went six innings in each of his last two outings. McCullers hadn't pitched in the majors since 2022 due to various injuries before rejoining Houston's rotation this season.

McCullers (1-1) allowed two hits and a walk over six shutout frames Tuesday, striking out seven and earning a win over Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

McCullers didn't face much of a threat as he cruised through six scoreless innings Tuesday. He threw 61 of 96 pitches for strikes and earned his first MLB win since September of 2022. Since coughing up seven runs while recording just one out against the Reds on May 10, McCullers has posted an impressive 2.21 ERA with a 29:6 K:BB across 20.1 frames. He dropped his season ERA to 4.44 across 24.1 innings. McCullers' next start is projected to be in Cleveland.