Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. has given new meaning to the expression ‘champagne problems’.
The righthander lined up on Saturday to start Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium, but he will start Game 4 instead. Why? McCullers said he was pushed back after being hit on the elbow by a champagne bottle and sustaining a minor cut during the team’s clubhouse party in Seattle after Game 3 of the ALDS.
“I’m fine. It’s just a little swelling, no big deal,” McCullers said.
“Earlier in the week we thought it would be good to give me a few days off, let it all sink in and give me an extra day. [in] Game 4. It really wasn’t anyone’s fault. It was just an accident, so it’s not a big deal.”
McCullers reported no issues during a 35-pitch bullpen session on Friday and will face Yankees left-handed Nestor Cortes in Game 4.
This isn’t the first strange injury of the 2022 postseason. Phillies reliever David Robertson had to miss the NLDS against the Braves after spraining a calf muscle while celebrating Bryce Harper’s home run in Game 2 of the team’s Wild Card Series in St. Louis.