Astros: Lance McCullers expected to return in relief in September?

The Astros could need a fifth starter to finish out the season.

Barring an unexpected development, Lance McCullers will likely not rejoin the starting rotation this season. Instead, the Astros could hope to have the age-24 right-hander available out of the bullpen in September.

The latest update on McCullers is linked to a “slow down” in his throwing program. As noted by Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, it doesn’t appear that McCullers will be on a mound to throw in the near future. Even a bullpen session doesn’t seem to be in the cards in the short-term.

Based on Hinch’s comments in Rome’s article, the Astros could be aiming to bring McCullers back in a relief role. This notion makes…