Justin Verlander

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Slated for bullpen

  Rotowire Jul 26, 2024

  Verlander (neck) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Saturday's session will be Verlander's third bullpen since being placed on the injured list June 18. The 41-year-old was stretched out to 40 pitches in his last bullpen and could be one or two more sessions away from returning. Once Verlander is activated, Jake Bloss would likely be pushed out of the rotation.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Throws another bullpen

  Rotowire Jul 20, 2024

  Verlander (neck) threw 40 pitches during a bullpen session Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Verlander is recovering from a neck injury that has sidelined him since June 18, but he's thrown a pair of bullpen sessions in the last week and was stretched out to 40 pitches Saturday. At this point, it's unclear if the 41-year-old will require a minor-league rehab stint.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Completes bullpen session

  Rotowire Jul 14, 2024

  Verlander (neck) threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Verlander used his entire arsenal in the session and finished the bullpen without incident, per McTaggart. He had originally been expected to toss 10-to-15 pitches, so all signs are that he's trending in a positive direction. A timeframe for Verlander's return isn't yet clear, but it is possible that he could rejoin Houston's rotation before the end of July.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Throwing off mound Sunday

  Rotowire Jul 13, 2024

  Verlander (neck) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Sunday will mark the first time Verlander has thrown off a mound since a neck injury forced him to the IL on June 18. He's only expected to reach 10-to-15 pitches during his session, but it's still a sign that the veteran right-hander is trending in the right direction. He remains without a firm timetable for his return, though he will likely need some time to build back up to a starter's workload.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: No timetable for mound work

  Rotowire Jul 9, 2024

  Verlander (neck) said Tuesday that he's increased the frequency of his flat-ground throwing, but there remains no timetable for when he will throw off a mound, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. While Verlander is feeling better, the progress from his neck injury continues to be slow. He has already been ruled out through the All-Star break, and it would seem at this point that he's unlikely to be ready at the start of the second half.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Ruled out through All-Star break

  Rotowire Jul 4, 2024

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Verlander (neck) will not return prior to the All-Star break, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Verlander has resumed playing catch and appears to be making some progress as he works his way back from neck soreness. However, it's been about three weeks since he's thrown off a mound, and he'll surely need at least one rehab start before returning. The 41-year-old should be back before the end of July if he can avoid setbacks.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Resumes throwing

  Rotowire Jun 30, 2024

  Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Verlander (neck) resumed playing catch from 60 feet Sunday and "felt good," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. The 41-year-old's return to throwing is an encouraging development after he was shut down for a bit while recovering from neck soreness. Given the prolonged shutdown period, Verlander shouldn't be expected to return from the injured list when first eligible this week and will likely need to make a minor-league rehab start prior to being activated.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Won't travel for start of road trip

  Rotowire Jun 26, 2024

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (neck) hasn't resumed playing catch and won't accompany the team to New York for this weekend's three-game series versus the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Verlander isn't eligible to return from the 15-day injured list until Monday, but with the Astros continuing their trip in Toronto and then Minnesota next week, the right-hander's absence for the start of the road swing wouldn't seem to inspire much optimism about his chances of being ready to make a start against the Blue Jays, and perhaps even the Twins. The Astros will likely wait and see if Verlander is able to take any meaningful steps forward in his recovery from the neck issue over the next few days while he's back in Houston before determining his status for the Toronto series.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Yet to resume throwing

  Rotowire Jun 25, 2024

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Verlander (neck) has yet to resume throwing, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Verlander has been shut down for more than a week with neck discomfort and continues to progress more slowly than expected. The veteran right-hander is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list Monday, but it's too early at this point to know whether he will be ready to go on that day. Houston currently has just four members in its rotation, but it will need to add a fifth if Verlander's injury continues to linger.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Moves to injured list

  Rotowire Jun 18, 2024

  The Astros placed Verlander on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Sunday, due to neck discomfort. Manager Joe Espada said earlier Tuesday that the veteran right-hander was progressing slower than expected from the neck discomfort that scratched him from Saturday's scheduled start, and he'll be sidelined for at least a couple turns through the rotation. Verlander is without an official timeline for return, but he'll be eligible to be activated from the injured list at the start of July.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Progressing slowly

  Rotowire Jun 18, 2024

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Verlander's (neck) progress has been "slower than we expected," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Verlander was scratched of his most recently scheduled start this past weekend against the Tigers because of neck discomfort. The club had been hoping he would be ready to start Thursday versus the White Sox, and while Espada didn't seem to officially rule Verlander out for the series finale in Chicago, he now appears likely to be pushed back again. Houston could have Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco both move up a day to start on Thursday and Friday, respectively, which would keep both pitchers on their typical four days' rest. The arrangement would also give Verlander a couple extra days to heal up if the team thinks he could take the ball Saturday versus the Orioles. A stint on the injured list for Verlander also can't be ruled out.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Could start Wednesday or Thursday

  Rotowire Jun 16, 2024

  Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Verlander (neck) could pitch either Wednesday or Thursday against the White Sox in Houston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Manager Joe Espada suggested earlier in the day that Verlander could rejoin the rotation for the Chicago series, and Brown's comments help further narrow down a potential return date for the 41-year-old righty. Verlander was unable to make his scheduled start Saturday versus the Tigers after experiencing neck discomfort during his bullpen session Wednesday, prompting the Astros to push both Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco ahead in the pitching schedule. The extra rest appears to have done Verlander some good, as he was able to play catch prior to Sunday's series finale with Detroit. He'll likely try to throw another bullpen session Monday or Tuesday before the Astros lock him for a start against the White Sox.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Plays catch Sunday

  Rotowire Jun 16, 2024

  Verlander (neck) played catch Sunday, and manager Joe Espada has left the door open for the right-hander to return to Houston's rotation this week against the White Sox, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Verlander already seems to be feeling better after he was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday due to neck discomfort. If he responds well in the coming days, the three-time Cy Young Award winner could return for a prime matchup in Chicago, though Espada said Verlander's next start is still up in the air. Ronel Blanco will get the start Sunday against Detroit after Spencer Arrighetti was lit up for seven runs in place of Verlander in the second game of the series.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Nursing neck issue

  Rotowire Jun 15, 2024

  Verlander was scratched from his start Saturday versus the Tigers due to neck discomfort, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Verlander was geared up to face his former team Saturday, but he'll now likely have to have his turn in the rotation skipped completely as a result of the neck issue. With Sunday's scheduled starter Spencer Arrighetti now pushed up to toe the rubber Saturday, Houston will likely have to look outside the major-league roster for a fill-in starter Sunday. Left-hander Eric Lauer is with Triple-A Sugar Land and could be an option to be called up. It's unclear whether or not Verlander's injury will require a stint on the injured list, but for now the 41-year-old's next opportunity to return to the mound appears to be next weekend in Baltimore at the earliest.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Scratched from start

  Rotowire Jun 15, 2024

  Verlander (undisclosed) will no longer start Saturday's contest against the Tigers, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports. Verlander was set to return to the mound Saturday, but he has now been scratched for an undisclosed reason. More information on his status will likely be provided ahead of the contest, but Spencer Arrighetti will now toe the rubber for the Astros against Detroit. Arrighetti was originally expected to start Sunday's series finale, so Houston may need to find a fill-in option if Verlander is sidelined with an injury.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Struggles continue against Angels

  Rotowire Jun 10, 2024

  Verlander did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 9-7 loss to the Angels, allowing four runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out three over five innings. Verlander had another pedestrian outing against one of the weaker lineups in baseball. The positives were that he didn't allow a home run or walk a batter, though he did give up seven hits for a second straight start and isn't missing many bats, evidenced by his 2.9 swinging strike percentage Sunday. Verlander has just seven strikeouts over his last 10 innings, and this is after coming off of back-to-back nine-strikeout performances to end May. The 41-year-old will take a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB (57 innings) into his next start against the Tigers over the weekend.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Hit hard in no-decision

  Rotowire Jun 3, 2024

  Verlander did not factor into the decision in Monday's 2-1 win over the Cardinals, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts over five innings. Verlander got into immediate trouble, allowing solo home runs to Alec Burleson and Nolan Gorman in the first inning. He labored through the next four, surrendering a total of eight hard-hit balls, including another homer by Gorman, and leaving with a 4-2 deficit. Verlander was coming off back-to-back nine-strikeout efforts, but he has now failed to reach six innings in four of his nine starts this season. In those nine games, Verlander has posted a 3.63 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 48:17 K:BB. He tentatively lines up for a road matchup against the Angels on Sunday.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Strikes out nine in win

  Rotowire May 25, 2024

  Verlander (3-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits and struck out nine without walking a batter Friday to earn the win over the Athletics. Verlander has alternated quality starts with shorter outings over his seven outings this season, and this was one of his good ones. The nine strikeouts were a season high, and it was just the second time he hasn't walked a batter this year. The 41-year-old has a 3.60 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 35:14 K:BB through 40 innings. Verlander is projected to make his next start in Seattle.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Crumbles in fifth frame Saturday

  Rotowire May 19, 2024

  Verlander (2-2) took the loss against Milwaukee on Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 4.2 innings. Verlander made it through four innings without giving up a run, but things fell apart for him in the fifth. In that frame, he put the first three batters on base via a single and two walks before allowing his first run on a sacrifice fly. Verlander got another out to nearly escape the jam without further damage, but William Contreras sent him to the showers with a three-run blast to center field. Verlander was coming off his best start of the season with seven scoreless innings against Detroit his last time out, though that was preceded by a seven-run, five-inning blowup against the Yankees his previous trip to the mound. He'll try to get back on the right track in his next appearance, which is tentatively lined up to take place in Oakland.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Rebounds with seven scoreless

  Rotowire May 12, 2024

  Verlander (2-1) earned the win after he pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up two hits and two walks while striking out eight batters in Sunday's 9-3 victory over the Tigers. Verlander was back to being sharp Sunday, limiting Detroit to just four baserunners while recording a season-high eight punchouts. The 41-year-old was coming off of allowing seven runs over five innings against the Yankees on Tuesday, but he rebounded with his third quality start over five outings in 2024. Verlander now owns a 3.38 ERA with 23 strikeouts over 29.1 innings this season, and his next projected start is set to come Friday at home versus the Brewers.

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