ASTROS UPDATE
How latest news about Justin Verlander impacts Opening Day for Astros
Mar 5, 2024, 4:36 pm
Justin Verlander will begin the season on the injured list. Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images.
Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander will open the season on the injured list after dealing with right shoulder inflammation during the offseason, which could jeopardize his conditional $35 million option for 2025.
Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday the 41-year-old Verlander hasn't suffered any setbacks but needs more time to become game ready.
“He’s doing very well, but we’re just running out of days here, and we won’t be able to build him up enough to start the season,” Espada told reporters. “It’s just a timing issue. We want to do what’s best for J.V. and our club, and this is what’s best for us right now.”
Verlander hasn't experienced any soreness in his shoulder after bullpen sessions, the manager said. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is expected to throw in the bullpen again on Friday but has yet to face hitters.
“We want to make sure to do it smart and not fast," Espada said. "We need him for the long haul. It’s a long season, and we need a healthy J.V. throughout the season.”
Verlander is expected to return early in the season. He called the injury “a little hiccup’’ in February but said he will be “really cautious on how I’m building up.’’
Verlander signed an $86.67 million, two-year deal with the New York Mets ahead of the 2023 season, then was traded back to Houston on Aug. 2. He helped the Astros win their sixth AL West crown in seven seasons before they lost to Texas in the AL Championship Series.
His deal includes a $35 million conditional player option for 2025 that he can exercise if he has 140 more innings pitched this year and does not have a specified injury that would prevent him from being on the 2025 opening day active roster.
If Verlander exercises his 2025 option, the Mets would send the Astros another $17.5 million in addition to the $35,520,753 they agreed to send Houston at the time of the trade: $4,211,469 last year and $31,309,284 this year. That reduced Verlander’s cost to Houston to $9,999,800 in 2023 and $12,024,049 in 2024.
Looking ahead
With Verlander starting the season on the IL, Framber Valdez will likely start the first game of the season against Gerrit Cole and the Yankees.
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How Houston Astros look to address major red flags in critical positions
Mar 20, 2025, 4:18 pm
To say the Houston Texans have been busy this week would be a colossal understatement. The team agreed to a massive contract extension with All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr, restructured lineman Tytus Howard's contract, and signed free agent left tackle Cam Robinson to a one-year deal.
The #Texans and Danielle Hunter have agreed to a one-year, $35.6 million contract extension that makes him the NFL’s second-highest paid defensive end, per sources.
Hunter will make $32M this season — a $12.5M raise — and $55.1M ($54.1M fully guaranteed) over the next two… pic.twitter.com/SR0UbySLse
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 19, 2025
Texans GM Nick Caserio is definitely earning his paycheck this week, as there is now another extension to discuss. According to multiple reports, pass rusher Danielle Hunter has agreed to a one-year, $35.6 million extension.
Tom Pelissero is reporting in the post above that “Hunter will make $32M this season — a $12.5M raise — and $55.1M ($54.1M fully guaranteed) over the next two seasons.”
Good work if you can get it.
The Texans are making a strong push to equip QB C.J. Stroud with top talent over the next two years. This is the ideal window to invest before they face a hefty commitment to his second contract.
With fewer pressing needs, Houston can now approach the draft with flexibility, prioritizing the best players available.