Lance McCullers Jr. is poised to make his highly anticipated return to the mound for the Houston Astros this Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, marking his first appearance since the 2022 World Series. After undergoing surgery in June 2023 to repair his flexor tendon and facing setbacks in his recovery, McCullers is ready to take on this challenge, expressing a sense of excitement akin to a debut.

Having completed four rehab starts over the past month, McCullers showcased his readiness with a five-inning scoreless performance in his last outing. Despite acknowledging that he may need time to adjust back to major league competition, he feels confident in his physical condition and is eager to contribute to his team's success as the season progresses.