ATLANTA — The Houston Astros placed right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. on the 15-day injured list with soreness in his pitching hand, general manager Dana Brown said Friday before the Astros opened a three-game series in Atlanta.

“We are having it looked at, just trying to figure out what that is related to,” Brown said.

McCullers flew back to Houston from Toronto to have his hand evaluated.

McCullers made two relief appearances in September, including one Thursday in a 6-0 loss to the Blue Jays. He is 2-5 with a 6.88 ERA with 12 starts in 15 appearances this season.

Rookie left-hander Colton Gordon (4-4, 5.67) was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land and is available to pitch against the Braves on Friday.

The Astros also promoted outfielder Zach Cole, who hit a home run on the first pitch

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