In a shocking and unsettling twist to a turbulent baseball comeback, the Houston Police Department has officially identified the individual responsible for issuing death threats against Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. The suspect, described as a disgruntled gambler acting under the influence of alcohol, is believed to have lashed out following a rough outing by McCullers earlier this season.
The threats—vile and deeply personal—were made via social media after McCullers’ May 10 start at Daikin Park, his first appearance there since the 2022 postseason. In that game, McCullers faced only eight batters, surrendered seven runs, and was pulled after recording just one out. The Astros suffered a brutal loss, and the reaction from some corners of the fanbase turned from disappointment to dangerous.
What followed was a deeply disturbing escalation. McCullers revealed publicly that he and his family received multiple death threats online—including chilling messages threatening the lives of his children. The pitcher, along with the Astros organization, quickly alerted both Major League Baseball and local law enforcement.
HPD launched a three-week investigation, eventually tracing the threats to a man living overseas. According to The Athletic, the suspect lost a significant amount of money betting on the game, was intoxicated at the time of the threats, and later expressed remorse. Authorities say the suspect has not been arrested, primarily due to jurisdictional limitations tied to his international residency. His identity remains undisclosed.
Despite the severity of the threats, the man has reportedly asked that his sincere apologies be extended to McCullers and his family. HPD has confirmed the case remains open but noted that legal action is unlikely unless international cooperation is secured.
The situation has cast a spotlight on the darker side of sports gambling and social media, where emotional volatility and anonymity can quickly spiral into real-world consequences.
Meanwhile, McCullers is turning the page—both mentally and physically. Since the May 10 debacle, the 31-year-old right-hander has made four more starts and shown clear signs of a return to form. In his most recent outing against the Oakland Athletics on May 28, he struck out 12 batters over six innings, giving up just three earned runs and one walk.
Now in his tenth season, McCullers remains one of only two players from the Astros’ 2017 World Series team still on the roster. After an extended injury absence, his return to the mound couldn’t come at a more crucial time. The Astros are currently grappling with the loss of two key starters, Hayden Wesneski and Ronel Blanco, both of whom recently underwent elbow surgery.
McCullers is slated to make his next start Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, going head-to-head with National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown.
As for the threats? McCullers has chosen to focus on what he can control—his performance, his teammates, and the fans who continue to support him.
“You never expect to deal with something like this,” McCullers said in a brief statement. “But I’m grateful to HPD, MLB, and the Astros for taking it seriously. Now, it’s about moving forward.”
While the legal road may be murky, one thing is clear: baseball is more than just a game—it’s real life for players and their families. And in that life, safety must always come before sport.
