"The breaking stuff hasn't missed a beat. He's throwing hard. He's throwing with intent," Astros pitching instructor Josh Miller told The Athletic's Chandler Rome. "He's asked for [a greater workload] in between his mound sessions, and he looks really good.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada has high hopes for starter Lance McCullers Jr after his impressive return to the mound.

McCullers touched 93 mph on the stadium radar gun and threw his entire five-pitch arsenal. A couple of four-seam fastballs early in his outing gave way to a slew of changeups and two-seamers. McCullers is “not too worried” about his curveball or slider, the two spin weapons that catalyze his career 10 strikeouts per nine innings.