History of Lance McCullers Jr. in Timeline

Lance McCullers Jr. is a professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros. Drafted in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft, he debuted in 2015. He was selected as an All-Star in 2017. He continues to play for the Astros.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1984: Nolan Ryan comparison

In 2017, during that same span, McCullers also became the first Astros pitcher since Nolan Ryan in 1984 to allow no earned runs over at least five innings pitched in each of four consecutive appearances.

1985: Lance Sr.'s MLB Debut

In 1985, Lance McCullers Jr.'s father, Lance Sr., began his career as a pitcher in Major League Baseball.

1992: Lance Sr.'s Final MLB Season

In 1992, Lance McCullers Jr.'s father, Lance Sr., played his final season in Major League Baseball.

October 2, 1993: Lance McCullers Jr. born

On October 2, 1993, Lance Graye McCullers Jr. was born. He is an American professional baseball pitcher.

Others born on this day/year

2005: Astros World Series Appearance

In October 2017, the Astros reached their first World Series since 2005.

September 11, 2008: Roy Oswalt's Scoreless Innings Streak

Roy Oswalt completed 32 scoreless innings from August 27 through September 11, 2008.

2012: Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year

In 2012, McCullers was named the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year while at Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida.

2012: Drafted and Signed with the Houston Astros

In 2012, The Houston Astros selected McCullers in the first round, with the 41st overall selection, of the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. He signed with the Astros, receiving a $2.5 million signing bonus.

2012: Drafted by the Houston Astros

In 2012, the Astros selected McCullers in the first round of the MLB draft.

2013: Won Midwest League championship

In 2013, McCullers pitched for the Quad Cities River Bandits of the Single-A Midwest League, winning the Midwest League championship.

2014: California League Champions

In 2014, McCullers was promoted to the Lancaster JetHawks of the High-A California League. The JetHawks went on to become the 2014 California League champions after beating the Northern Division champion Visalia Rawhide.

May 18, 2015: Major League Debut

On May 18, 2015, McCullers made his major league debut, allowing one run, three walks, and three hits while striking out five batters in 4+2⁄3 innings. He received a no-decision in the Astros' 2–1 loss to the Oakland Athletics.

June 3, 2015: First Career Complete Game

On June 3, 2015, McCullers threw his first career complete game against the Baltimore Orioles, reaching 11 strikeouts for the first time. He remained in the Astros rotation and finished with 22 starts.

December 2015: Marriage to Kara Kilfoile

In December 2015, McCullers married his longtime girlfriend, Kara Kilfoile.

2015: MLB Debut

In 2015, Lance McCullers Jr. made his MLB debut for the Houston Astros.

2015: Promotion to Triple-A and MLB Debut Announced

In 2015, McCullers started the season with the Corpus Christi Hooks, was promoted to the Fresno Grizzlies on May 14, and on the following day, it was announced that he would make his major league debut on May 18.

2016: Season on the Disabled List

In 2016, McCullers began the season on the disabled list with shoulder soreness. He finished the season with a 6–5 record in 14 starts.

2016: Lance McCullers Jr. Foundation Established

In 2016, the Lance McCullers Jr. Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established by McCullers and his family to advocate for stray and homeless animals.

October 21, 2017: First Career Save in ALCS Game 7

On October 21, 2017, McCullers pitched four scoreless innings in relief and earned his first career save in a 4–0 win over the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the ALCS. This sent the Astros to their first World Series since 2005.

2017: All-Star Selection

In 2017, Lance McCullers Jr. was selected as an All-Star.

2017: Starting Rotation and Scoreless Innings Streak

In 2017, McCullers was assigned to the starting rotation at the outset of the season. From May 6–23, he delivered 22 scoreless innings.

July 29, 2018: Most Strikeouts Since July 29, 2018

On September 15, 2022 McCullers hurled six innings, issuing four walks, two hits, and two runs as he struck out 11 Athletics, his most since July 29, 2018.

November 6, 2018: Tommy John Surgery

On November 6, 2018, McCullers underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow and was ruled out for the entire 2019 baseball season.

2018: Season and Injury

In 2018, McCullers began the season in the rotation, going 10–6 through 22 starts before landing on the disabled list on August 5 with discomfort in his right elbow. After missing more than a month because of the injury, he returned towards the last two weeks of the regular season in a bullpen role, appearing in three games.

November 2019: Completed Rehab

In early November 2019, McCullers completed his rehab from Tommy John surgery.

December 2019: Birth of First Child

In December 2019, McCullers and his wife welcomed their first child, a daughter.

2020: 2020 Season Stats

In 2020, McCullers had a 3–3 record with a 3.93 ERA. He pitched 55 innings with 56 strikeouts in 11 starts.

March 24, 2021: Contract Extension with Astros

On March 24, 2021, McCullers and the Astros agreed to a five-year, $85 million contract extension that included a $3.5 million signing bonus.

2021: Injury during ALDS

During the 2021 ALDS versus the Chicago White Sox, McCullers was removed from Game 4 due to a right forearm injury. He was unable to participate in the remainder of the playoffs, in which the Astros reached the World Series, and were defeated by the Atlanta Braves in six games.

2022: 2022 Season Stats

In 2022, McCullers was 4–2 with a 2.27 ERA in 47+2⁄3 innings in which he struck out 50 batters in eight starts.

2022: Season Debut and Return to Play

In 2022, McCullers, recovering from a forearm injury, made his season debut on August 13 and earned the win after hurling six shutout innings versus the Oakland Athletics. He allowed two hits, walked four, and struck out five.

June 14, 2023: Season-Ending Surgery

On June 14, 2023, McCullers underwent season–ending surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his pitching arm and remove a bone spur.

July 2024: Setback and Missed Season

After he was shut down from throwing in July 2024 while rehabbing, the Astros announced that McCullers would also miss the entire 2024 season.

January 25, 2025: Delayed Return

On January 25, 2025, it was announced that McCullers would likely not be ready for Opening Day.

May 4, 2025: Season Debut After Absence

After a 915-day absence, McCullers made his season debut on May 4, 2025, at Rate Field versus the White Sox, and tossed 3+2⁄3 scoreless innings with three hits, three walks allowed, and four strikeouts.