Lance McCullers: Everything you need to know

McCullers was removed from his start Wednesday against the Dodgers in the top of the third inning after he appeared to be contending with a blister on his pitching hand, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. He was charged with six earned runs on four hits and three walks over 2.2 innings prior to his departure. McCullers was visited on the mound by manager Joe Espada and a team trainer at one point during his start, and though he was able to stay in the game, he continued to struggle with his control before the Astros pulled him from the contest. In addition to issuing three free passes, McCullers threw three wild pitches and found the strike zone on just 39 of his 70 pitches overall. Even if McCullers checks out fine on the health front and is ready to make his next start, the Astros may have to begin to consider moving him out of the rotation. After the disastrous outing Wednesday, McCullers's ERA now sits at 7.41 over 34 innings on the season.

McCullers (2-2) earned the win Thursday in the second game of a doubleheader with the Orioles, allowing three runs on two hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out nine. After allowing 17 runs (15 earned) across just 14.1 innings in his last three starts, McCullers rebounded with an impressive performance against the Orioles, matching his season high with nine strikeouts. McCullers' ERA now sits at 6.32 with a 1.40 WHIP and 33:17 K:BB across six starts (31.1 innings) this season. He'll look to build on Thursday's performance in his next outing, tentatively scheduled as a tough home matchup next week against the Dodgers.

McCullers (1-2) took the loss Friday, allowing seven runs (five earned) on six hits and four walks over five-plus innings against the Yankees. He struck out three. The right-hander was in trouble from the jump Friday, as New York scored three runs (one earned) during the opening frame. Things didn't get any better from there with the Yankees adding to McCullers' ledger in the second, fourth and sixth innings. The 32-year-old had an electric season debut March 30 versus the Red Sox with nine strikeouts and just one run allowed over seven innings, but McCullers has surrendered 18 earned runs across 18.1 frames in his four subsequent starts. Perhaps a rematch with Boston next week will help him to get back on track, but that's a risky proposition for fantasy managers given his recent form.