McCullers Jr. Shows Promise in Grapefruit League Debut

McCullers, who struggled with a low‑velocity fastball and command issues last season, threw eight pitches in his debut at Angel Stadium, including a 93.2‑mph four‑seam that hinted at regained strength. The pitcher also demonstrated his sinker, a pitch he could not reliably throw in 2025, and began to generate quick outs that had eluded him previously. While the outing was brief, the performance suggests the Astros’ right‑hander may be on the path to a full season role, whether as a starter or reliever.