HOUSTON (AP) — Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. had another setback in his return from elbow surgery when he was scratched from a minor league rehabilitation start because of a stomach illness.
The 31-year-old right-hander had been slated to pitch for Double-A Corpus Christi. Astros manager Joe Espada said Saturday that McCullers required an IV.
McCullers has not pitched in the major leagues since the 2022 World Series. He had surgery on June 13, 2023, to repair his right flexor tendon and to remove a bone spur. He threw a bullpen session last June but had a setback and was shut down for the year.
McCullers is 49-32 with a 3.48 ERA in seven seasons, all with Houston. He has made three minor league rehab starts this year and has a 4.70 ERA over 7 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts and five walks.
Houston activated right-hander Forrest Whitley from the 15-day injured before Saturday’s game against the San Diego Padres after he recovered from a left knee bone bruise. A 27-year-old selected 17th overall in the 2016 amateur draft, Whitley had a 7.36 ERA over 3 2/3 innings in four rehab games with Triple-A Sugar Land.
Whitley made his first big league appearances last year, on April 16 and Sept. 2 and 4. He did not allow an earned run.
“Happy to have him back,” Espada said. “It’s a big arm, and we know he can come in and finish an inning or give you multiple innings.”
Right-hander Nick Hernandez was optioned to Sugar Land.
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FILE - Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. waits to talk with the media Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Houston, after surgery on his pitching arm earlier in the week. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
CINCINNATI (AP) — After opening the season as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco will close the season as the backup for the Bengals as they face the Browns on Sunday.
Flacco was dealt to the Bengals in October and made six starts for the Bengals while Joe Burrow was out with a toe injury.
“I don’t really think about putting a label on it,” Flacco said. “It’s crazy. Seasons always go by quick once they’ve started. But the way that this one went, it seems like it flew by.”
During the summer, in Cleveland Browns training camp, Flacco won a competition for the starting quarterback job and made four starts for Cleveland. In Week 1 against the Bengals, Flacco threw for 290 yards.
He said that over the past 17 weeks, he has seen improvement from the Bengals defense. Now, he refers to the Bengals defense as his team’s defense.
“We’re stopping the run,” Flacco said. “We’re getting more pressure on the quarterback. When you combine those two things, it’s going to help you out.”
While Flacco went 1-5 as a starter in Cincinnati, the 40-year-old played well. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.
Flacco said that he developed a lot of respect for Bengals coach Zac Taylor.
“He has a lot of strengths,” Flacco said. “He’s really good at what he does. His demeanor, his overall personality and the way he leads men is really good. The way he puts game plans together. Also, he’s willing to allow it to be collaborative. That’s a strength. His game day play-calling is also something he does really well.”
Burrow took over as the starter when he returned on Thanksgiving, and Flacco has been the backup over the past month.
Flacco will be a free agent again at the end of the season. As he evaluates his options, he’s hoping to find another chance to play and to start.
“That’s always a priority,” Flacco said. “I’m somebody who wants to play football. You’ve got to assess and see whatever is thrown your way. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it.”
He said that he’d be open to returning to the Bengals, but he’ll weigh several factors.
“I haven’t really thought about it,” Flacco said. “I don’t hope to do anything. I have an idea of maybe of what some goals would be. I’ll go from there and see what happens.”
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco throws during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
