Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers says he and his family were subjected to death threats after he gave up seven runs in the first inning of Saturday night’s 13-9 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
A team spokesperson said the Astros have notified the Houston Police Department and Major League Baseball security about the comments made on social media.
“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,” McCullers said after Saturday’s game.
He and his wife, Kara, have two young daughters.
“I think bringing kids into the equation, threatening to find them or next time they see us in public they’re going to stab my kids to death, things like that, it’s tough to hear as a dad.”
McCullers, a 2018 All-Star who has battled a number of injuries over the past few years, finally returned to the Astros active roster on May 4, pitching for the first time since the 2022 World Series.
Saturday’s game was only his second start since returning. In the Reds’ 10-run first inning, McCullers allowed a three-run homer to Elly De La Cruz and RBI hits from Tyler Stephenson and Will Benson before he was removed after getting only one out.
Astros manager Joe Espada was visibly upset as he addressed the media after Saturday’s game.
“There are people who are threatening his life and the life of his kids because of his performance,” Espada said. “It is very unfortunate that we have to deal with this. After all he’s done for this city, for his team, the fact that we have to talk about that in my office – I got kids too, and it really drives me nuts that we have to deal with this. Very sad. Very, very sad.
“Listen, he hasn’t pitched in 2½ years. … It’s going to take a little bit of time to get him going. And that’s fine. But this can’t happen. I’m really upset that this can happen to athletes.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lance McCullers Jr. gets death threats after poor start vs. Reds
