MLB Pitcher Lance McCullers Recalls ‘Turning [Life] Over’ to Christ Ahead of Surgery

Published: June 4, 2024

MLB Pitcher Lance McCullers Recalls ‘Turning [Life] Over’ to Christ Ahead of Surgery

By Movieguide® Contributor

The Houston Astros, the reigning World Series champions, are struggling at the start of this MLB season.

One major piece that has been missing for the team is starting pitcher, Lance McCullers.

Per Sports Spectrum, “McCullers last appeared in that 2022 World Series. As the 2023 season approached, the right-handed ace strained a muscle in his throwing arm, and attempts to rehab without surgery proved unsuccessful. McCullers underwent season-ending surgery in June 2023 to repair his flexor tendon and remove a bone spur.”

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McCullers isn’t completely cleared to return to the mound, but he has been in the bullpen and is expected to return by the end of the month.

In February, McCullers told FanNation he is ready to be back.

“I’m at a really good point in the rehab where I feel very confident in what we’re doing and how we’re progressing — and I’m looking forward to coming back,” he said.

Fast forward to June, McCullers talked with Will Kunkel of FOX 26 about why he puts his identity in Christ.

“I’m very confident in who I am as a person [and] in my faith in God and Jesus. My family, they stabilized me,” he said. “People will love you, people will hate you, even when you’re doing great people are going to hate you.”

The athlete says his surgery was the turning point in his life when his faith became a relationship instead of just his religion.

“I’ve always been faithful,” McCullers explained. “…I’ve always tried to live by the commandments, but really kind of turning myself over and keeping the days of Holy Obligation and following His Word and really trying to be a man of Christ, I think is two different things. Trying to really walk that line and live my life through Christ versus just being a general believer.”

“I remember the night before I had surgery, I was praying, and I really just said, ‘I am truly turning it over, and I’m gonna be OK. Even if I come back the best or if I never come back, I’ll be equally OK,'” he recalled.

While on leave from his injury, McCullers and his wife, Kara, welcomed their second child.

The couple shared photos on their Instagram and wrote, “And then there were 4 ? Rang in the new year in our newborn bubble ? Welcome to the world, Isla Graye McCullers ?”