Astros mull moving Lance McCullers to bullpen

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The Astros will take a small step toward nudging Lance McCullers Jr. into the bullpen.

On Friday afternoon, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said he is considering using McCullers in relief on Tuesday in the series opener against the Chicago White Sox.

The transition would signify a dramatic shift for the 23-year-old righty, who is running out of chances to prove he can restore the consistency as a starter that had made him an All-Star. A subsequent slump, back injury in August and recent arm fatigue has put his reliability in question.

The Astros also are conditioning starter Collin McHugh for a possible spot in the bullpen.

Hinch said he "probably" will use McCullers and McHugh on Tuesday, but he had not decided who will start the game.

McCullers had to skip his start earlier this week and will gauge the condition of his arm with a bullpen session on Saturday. Hinch was cryptic about exact plans for McCullers.

"Um, I'm not sure," Hinch said. "He's going to throw a bullpen tomorrow, then we'll determine what kind of volume we want to put on him."

PHOTOS: Astros game-by-game SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 6: Starter Lance McCullers Jr. of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch during the first inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on September 6, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) Browse through the photos to see how the Astros have fared through each game this season. less PHOTOS: Astros game-by-game SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 6: Starter Lance McCullers Jr. of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch during the first inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on ... more Photo: Stephen Brashear/Getty Images Photo: Stephen Brashear/Getty Images Image 1 of / 245 Caption Close Astros mull moving Lance McCullers to bullpen 1 / 245 Back to Gallery

A crowded starting rotation and ineffective bullpen in September has forced Hinch to reconsider the roles on his staff. He likely will have to decide who of McCullers, McHugh and Brad Peacock will remain a starter in the postseason and prepare the other two pitchers for the bullpen.

Despite his versatility, Peacock moved closer to seizing a starting opportunity with his latest win on Wednesday, when he improved to 11-2 with a 2.98 ERA.

Hinch said he planned to use starter McHugh for one inning out of the bullpen against the Mariners in the series opener Friday night. McHugh had last pitched three innings against the Athletics on Sept. 8, when he left the game early because of a right middle fingernail avulsion.

McCullers had been 7-2 when he made the AL All-Star team in July. Then he appeared to lose command of his fastball in a series of poor outings and missed the next month with a back injury.

He returned from the disabled list on Sept. 6 to throw 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Mariners. Then he reported arm fatigue and soreness after playing catch four days later.

"He's had an up-and-down year dealing with stuff," Hinch had said then.

Hinch said that after the White Sox opener on Tuesday, Peacock will start Wednesday and Dallas Keuchel on Thursday.