Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. will be available to work out of the bullpen in the "short term," manager Joe Espada said prior to Thursday's game against the Colorado Rockies.

McCullers initially was in line to start Friday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Right-hander Cristian Javier will get the nod instead.

McCullers, 31, began the season on the injured list and made his debut May 4, his first start since the 2022 World Series. He is 2-4 with a 6.89 ERA in 12 appearances (all starts) this season.

"I think he's capable of doing anything," Espada said. "I think Lance is a really good pitcher. We're trying to find opportunities to get him going and maybe pitching out of the bullpen for an outing or two can get him going. I think the adjustment is not going to be e

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