Lance McCullers Jr. Reveals 5-Year-Old Daughter’s Heartbreaking Question Amid Ongoing Death Threats

Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. is taking serious steps to protect his family after receiving alarming death threats from fans upset over his recent performance.

The 31-year-old right-hander, who returned to the mound this season after missing two years due to injury, revealed this week that the threats became extremely severe.

In fact, they aimed some of their threats at Lance McCullers Jr.'s 5-year-old daughter, Ava.

“She asked me when I came home, ‘Daddy, like, what is threats? Who wants to hurt us? Who wants to hurt me?’” McCullers shared in a candid interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday, May 28. “So those conversations are tough to deal with.”

McCullers said the threats, which reportedly included graphic messages about harming his children, began after a rocky outing on May 10 against the Cincinnati Reds. During the game, he surrendered seven runs and recorded just one out before being pulled.

“I understand people are very passionate and people love the Astros and love sports,” McCullers said. “But threatening to find my kids and murder them is a little bit tough to deal with. Threatening to find them or saying 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.”

The situation quickly escalated to a point where the MLB player reached out to the Astros organization. In response, team owner Jim Crane stepped in and offered personal security for the family.

“You have to at that point,” McCullers said of accepting the offer.

Astros manager Joe Espada also addressed the situation, calling the threats “very unfortunate” and urging fans to consider the human side of the game.

“There are people who are threatening his life and the life of his kids because of his performance,” Espada said. “It’s very unfortunate that we have to deal with this.”

Espada reminded fans of McCullers’ significant contributions to the franchise’s success over the years. The veteran pitcher played key roles in the Astros’ World Series victories in both 2017 and 2022, making his current return from injury all the more admirable.

“He hasn’t been on the mound in almost two years,” Espada said. “It’s going to take time.”

McCullers has made five starts this season, battling his way back into the rotation after a long road of recovery. Though the early results haven’t been ideal, he’s focused on moving forward, both on and off the field, with his family’s safety and well-being at the forefront.

The situation is currently under investigation by the Houston Police Department and MLB security, with a police spokesperson confirming Thursday that the case remains active.

Unfortunately, McCullers is not alone in facing this kind of harassment. Associated Press reported that Boston Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks recently took to social media to share that he, too, had received vile messages, including death threats directed at his wife, following a poor performance.

As the trend of online abuse intensifies, fellow players are speaking out in support of McCullers and raising awareness about the emotional toll it takes. Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich, a 13-year MLB veteran and former National League MVP, told reporters the issue has become disturbingly routine.

“I think over the last few years it’s definitely increased,” Yelich said. “It’s increased to the point that you’re just: ‘All right, here we go.’ It doesn’t even really register on your radar anymore. I don’t know if that’s a good or a bad thing… It’s not just me. It’s everybody in here, based on performance.”

While McCullers is focused on getting back to full strength after nearly two years away from the mound, he’s also prioritizing his family’s safety amid the chaos. The pitcher, who was a key part of the Astros' World Series-winning teams in 2017 and 2022, has made five starts so far this season and continues to work his way back into top form.

Despite the challenges, McCullers remains grateful for the support he’s received and is committed to ensuring his loved ones stay protected.

“It’s tough to hear as a dad,” he said. “But you do what you have to do.”