Lance McCullers News: Moving to bullpen for now

Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that McCullers is available to pitch out of the bullpen, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Espada described the move as "short-term" and noted that McCullers is an option to start Monday's game against the Angels. Luis Garcia (elbow) is also an option to return from the 60-day injured list start Monday, and the two could be used in tandem if McCullers isn't needed out of the bullpen Thursday versus the Rockies or during the first three games of the series with the Angels over the weekend. In his most recent start this past Friday in Baltimore following his return from the IL, McCullers yielded three runs and walked five over four innings. He's now sitting on a 6.89 ERA in 12 starts this season.