The Houston Astros announced Wednesday that right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. has undergone flexor tendon surgery to remove a bone spur from his right forearm. McCullers was out for the entire 2023 season with injury issues, and is expected to return sometime in 2024.

The 29-year-old McCullers is on the second year of a five-year, $85 million deal. He missed the start of the 2022 season due to an injury he suffered in the 2021 playoffs. He came back to make eight starts in the regular season, pitching to a 2.27 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. McCullers was expected to be fully healthy heading into spring training, but he suffered an injury early on, and never recovered.

General manager Dana Brown said in a statement Wednesday: “After the injury happened in February, Lance worked his tail off to get back on the mound. This guy is a warrior and did everything in his power to get back. But each time he built himself up to an increased pitch total off the mound, the pain would come back. It’s unfortunate, but we look forward to him being back on the mound next season.”

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