The 31-year-old McCullers started Sunday for the Houston Astros and threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings in his first outing since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series in Philadelphia. McCullers had surgery in June 2023 to repair his right flexor tendon and to remove a bone spur. Then he was shut down after a setback last year.

Lance McCullers Jr. pitches for the first time since the 2022 World Series as the Astros face the Chicago White Sox. How to watch, listen When: 1:10 p.m. Sunday, Rate Field, Chicago TV: Space City Home Network Radio: 790 AM,

Lance McCullers Jr. didn’t earn a win or pitch deep into the game, but simply stepping on a big-league mound again was a victory in itself. After 915 days sidelined by arm injuries and setbacks, McCullers returned to action for the Houston Astros on Sunday in a rain-shortened 5–4 loss to the Chicago White Sox.