Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. will be available to work out of the bullpen in the “short term,” manager Joe Espada said prior to Thursday’s game against the Colorado Rockies.

McCullers initially was in line to start Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels. Right-hander Cristian Javier will get the nod instead.

McCullers, 31, began the season on the injured list and made his debut May 4, his first start since the 2022 World Series. He is 2-4 with a 6.89 ERA in 12 appearances (all starts) this season.

“I think he’s capable of doing anything,” Espada said. “I think Lance is a really good pitcher. We’re trying to find opportunities to get him going and maybe pitching out of the bullpen for an outing or two can get him going. I think the adjustment is not going to be easy to make; he’s never pitched out of the bullpen, but we believe he can do it.”

McCullers struggled on Friday in his first start since coming off the injured list due to a blister on his pitching hand. He issued a season-high five walks to go along with three runs on five hits in four innings of a no-decision against the Baltimore Orioles.

A two-time World Series champion, McCullers is 51-36 with a 3.70 ERA while starting all but three of his 142 appearances in the majors.

–Field Level Media