sports

Astros' McCullers Jr. Throws 8 Pitches, Shows Hope in Spring Debut

Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. made his 2026 Grapefruit League debut on Friday, throwing just eight pitches including a four-seam fastball clocked at 93.2 MPH.

McCullers threw just eight pitches during the appearance, but the highlight was his four-seam fastball, which registered at 93.2 MPH. This marks a significant improvement over his 2025 season, where he struggled to break 91 MPH and relied heavily on breaking balls due to command issues.

The performance provided a spark of hope for Astros fans as McCullers looks to return to form and secure a rotation spot after a difficult year.