Justin Verlander is heading to the injured list. Composite Getty Image.
Astros ace Justin Verlander missed his start over the weekend due to neck discomfort, which had many fans concerned. The last Houston pitcher (Cristian Javier) to miss time with the same injury would end up out for the season and having to undergo Tommy John surgery.
Fortunately, it doesn't look like that will be the case for JV, and the team didn't anticipate having to put Verlander on IR. They hoped he would be able to start Thursday's game in Chicago.
But manager Joe Espada told the Astros flagship station on Tuesday that his progress “is slower than we expected.”
Astros manager Joe Espada tells @SportsMT that Justin Verlander’s progress “is slower than we expected.” Thursday’s starter against the White Sox is still TBA.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 18, 2024
Fast-forward a few hours and JV is headed to the IL, with Nick Hernandez joining the club from Sugar Land.
Justin Verlander's 15-day IL stint is retroactive to Sunday. https://t.co/7Ys8eLvl6O
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 18, 2024
Hopefully, this is just a short stint on the injured list for Verlander. Quite frankly, the Astros are running out of big league caliber starting pitching options.
One has to wonder, how many more injuries the team can sustain in 2024? The injury bug is biting hard, and the club is currently nine games behind Seattle in the AL West.
Up next
Framber Valdez takes the mound for Houston against the White Sox on Tuesday night.
The Athletic's Chandler Rome shares some possibilities the Astros might explore to replace Verlander in the post below.
The Astros could start Spencer Arrighetti on full rest Thursday against the White Sox. Blair Henley, who is on the 40-man roster, is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A on Thursday. Astros could call him up for a spot start or turn it into a bullpen game with Contreras/Hernandez
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 18, 2024
How Rockets' latest financial gambles shake up the team and its future
Oct 22, 2024, 3:10 pm
Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun both agreed to contract extensions with the Houston Rockets, a person with knowledge of the details said Monday.
Green, agreed to a three-year, $106 million extension. Sengun, agreed to five-year, $185 million extension.
Did GM Rafael Stone negotiate good deals from a team perspective?
Don't miss the video above as ESPN Houston's Jeremy Branham and Joel Blank react to the news, and examine if the Rockets made the right call in locking up their young talent.
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