Police: Threats to Astros’ McCullers came from intoxicated bettor

The death threats sent to Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. last month were traced back to an intoxicated sports bettor who is based overseas, according to the Houston Police Department.

The man was not identified, as police said Monday the case remains open while charges are weighed. But investigators revealed that their suspect had lost money betting on the Astros' game May 10 against the Cincinnati Reds and was "frustrated and inebriated" when he sent threats to McCullers via social media.

The suspect was apologetic and asked that his apology be relayed to McCullers and his family, police said.

McCullers, 31, revealed that the man threatened to find his kids and "murder them." McCullers has daughters aged 5 and 1.

"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 at the time.

"There have been many, many threats over the years aimed at me mostly, and I think actually one or two people from other issues around baseball actually have had to go to jail for things like that," he said. "But 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 are tough to hear as a dad."

It was McCullers' second game back after a two-year injury absence due to arm injuries. He gave up seven runs on three hits and three walks while recording just one out in a home loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

The Astros hired 24-hour security for McCullers and his family in the wake of the threats.

--Field Level Media