Astros' Lance McCullers Jr. says disgruntled Afans directing death threats at him and his children

Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr.

Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. said he’s been receiving death threats directed at both himself and his children after Saturday’s loss against the Cincinnati Reds.

McCullers, who says he became a target of harassment from baseball fans after he allowed seven runs during a 10-run first inning, told reporters after the game that people have been sending threats to him about his performance, with some implying that they would seek to harm his two young daughters.

“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 just as a father, I think,” McCullers said.

McCullers, 31, had recently returned to the field for his second major league start after missing the last two MLB seasons to recover from injuries in his pitching arm.

Saturday’s 13-9 loss at Houston’s Daikin Park was his second MLB game and first home game of 2025, marking his return after last pitching in Game 3 of the 2022 World Series.