McCullers Jr. Faces Death Threats After Rough Outing

Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. is dealing with a disturbing situation after receiving death threats from fans following a difficult start against the Cincinnati Reds. The threats, which specifically target his children, have prompted investigations by both the Houston Police Department and MLB security.

The incident occurred after McCullers’ second start of the season on Saturday, where he struggled mightily, allowing seven earned runs in just one-third of an inning. His performance was a significant setback, particularly given his recent return from a series of injuries that have plagued him for the past two seasons.

McCullers expressed his dismay and concern over the threats, emphasizing the impact they have on his family. "I understand people are very passionate and people love the Astros and love sports, but threatening to find my kids and murder them is a little bit tough to deal with," he stated. The 31-year-old right-hander highlighted the disturbing nature of the threats, which included specific details about harming his children. "Bringing kids into the equation, threatening to find them or next time they see us in public, they’re going to stab my kids to death, things like that, it’s tough to hear as a dad."

The situation has deeply affected McCullers, forcing him to worry about his family’s safety, especially when he is away for games or when his children are at school. He expressed his desire for a basic level of decency from fans, regardless of their passion for the sport.

Astros manager Joe Espada also condemned the threats, emphasizing the emotional toll they take on McCullers and his family. "There are people who are threatening his life and the life of his kids because of his performance," Espada said. "It is very unfortunate that we have to deal with this. After all he’s done for this city, for his team, the fact that we have to talk about that in my office – I got kids, too, and it really drives me nuts that we have to deal with this. Very sad, very, very sad." Espada’s comments underscore the broader impact of such threats, as they affect not only the targeted individual but also their colleagues and families.

McCullers’ journey back to the mound has been challenging. After his last appearance in the 2022 World Series, he faced a series of setbacks due to injuries. He suffered a muscle strain in his pitching arm during spring training in 2023, which sidelined him. In June 2023, he underwent season-ending surgery to repair a flexor tendon in his arm and remove a bone spur. His rehab process also faced hurdles, and he was shut down from throwing in July 2024, causing him to miss the entire season.

His return to the Astros on May 4 was met with optimism, as he pitched three scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox. However, his recent performance against the Reds was a stark contrast, highlighting the challenges he faces in regaining his consistency.

The game against the Reds started disastrously for McCullers. Elly De La Cruz hit a three-run homer after McCullers walked TJ Friedl and hit Matt McLain with a pitch. The situation quickly deteriorated, with two more walks and two hits contributing to a 5-0 lead for Cincinnati. Espada made the decision to pull McCullers from the game, but the runners on second and third, his responsibility, later scored as part of a 10-run first inning for the Reds.

Despite the recent struggles, McCullers remains determined to contribute to the Astros’ success. "If you fail, you fail on a very large stage (with) a lot of eyes and there’s nowhere to hide," McCullers said. "At the end of the day, I just want to do my job. I just want to be a good pitcher for the Astros, and I believe I’ll get there."

McCullers has been a significant part of the Astros’ success over the years. He made the All-Star team in 2017 and has a career 3.55 ERA with the Astros. In 19 postseason games, all with Houston, he has a 3.47 ERA, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure. He also has two World Series rings.

The incident involving the death threats is not isolated. McCullers mentioned that he has received numerous threats over the years, and in some cases, individuals have faced legal consequences for such actions. "So, just as a father, I think there have been many, many threats over the years aimed at me mostly, and I think actually one or two people from other issues around baseball actually had to go to jail for things like that."

The Astros organization is taking the threats seriously and is working with the Houston Police Department and MLB security to ensure the safety of McCullers and his family. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to identify and apprehend those responsible for the threats.