Lance McCullers Jr. Shines in Return for Astros

Lance McCullers Jr. made his long-awaited return to the Houston Astros, pitching 3 2/3 scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox after being sidelined for 915 days due to arm injuries and surgery. Despite a high pitch count and some inefficiency, McCullers managed to strand several baserunners and demonstrated flashes of his pre-injury form, though he noted his slider still needs work. Astros manager Joe Espada and general manager Dana Brown both praised McCullers' perseverance and the significance of his comeback. The Astros, following a difficult offseason and slow season start, have remained competitive and are optimistic that their lineup will continue to improve. Recent evaluations suggest Houston may still be the team to beat in the AL West, even as the Mariners and Athletics show progress. The division remains tightly contested as the season advances.