McCullers struck out three and allowed two runs over two innings on Sunday in his first minor league rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land. The 31-year-old hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since Game 3 of the 2022 Fall Classic due to elbow issues, but he’s on track to rejoin Houston’s starting rotation in late April or early May.

McCullers hit 95mph on the radar gun and came away from the outing feeling good, as if he could have gone out for another inning. “These rehab games are all about entering healthy and leaving healthy,” he said after the game. “Little off-timing, a little out of pace, but overall happy with everything.” McCullers will need to build up to three innings and then four, etc., which means he could need another three outings before potentially returning to Houston. If he can make it back in May, that could mean Hayden Wesneski returns to a multi-inning relief role.

McCullers has been working his way back from surgery and was able to pitch one inning in a spring game last week. He is also set to start on Sunday for Triple-A Sugar Land, so the 31-year-old is well on his way back. He will need the full extent of time in the minors, but we could see him back up with the Astros before May.

McCullers toed the rubber for the first time in a big-league setting since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series. He touched 93 mph with his four-seam fastball and needed just 13 pitches to navigate a scoreless frame. The 31-year-old righty is far from a sure bet to stay remotely healthy after dealing with elbow issues for the last two years, but he’s on track to potentially return to Houston’s rotation at some point in late April or early May.