A.J. Hinch doesn't expect Lance McCullers, Jr. to rejoin the starting rotation upon his return from a forearm injury.

It's unlikely that McCullers would be able to rebuild his stamina to the point where he could start for the Houston Astros.

"I guess never say never cause once you get on the mound and get going things can progress a different way, but I think the focus will be and probably should be shorter stints," Hinch said.

McCullers has been on the disabled list since Aug. 5.