McCullers Jr. was making his first regular season start in years after battling a multitude of injuries. He gave up three hits, walked three and struck out four. Considering the long layoff, McCullers Jr. did fine in a plus matchup against the White Sox. His pitch count got out of control early in the game as he was over 50 pitches in the second inning and reached 87 pitches before he was pulled in the fourth inning. McCullers Jr. is lined up to start next weekend against the Reds at home, though fantasy managers might want to exercise caution before putting him in starting lineups.

McCullers will make his long-awaited return to Houston’s rotation on Sunday against the White Sox. It’ll be his first appearances in the big leagues since Game 3 of the World Series back in 2022. The 31-year-old’s career has been derailed by injuries, so the fact that he’s returning at all is a significant achievement. Fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach here given his extended layoff. However, there’s some appeal in deeper mixed leagues, even if the Astros are going to put a governor on his workload.

It will be the first time that McCullers has taken the mound since the World Series in 2022. He missed two seasons while recovering from a flexor tendon surgery. The 31-year-old will get a soft landing against the White Sox, but there’s obvious risk in a hurler who has had this much time off even with rehab starts. It’s fun to see McCullers back on the mound after such a lengthy absence, and since it’s Chicago on the other side it’s probably worth taking a chance.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that McCullers could potentially make his next start in the majors, depending on how he feels coming out of his next throwing session. The 31-year-old righty hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since Game 3 of the World Series back in 2022.