How mounting evidence is raising questions about Astros' injury concerns
13 August 2024
Justin Verlander is set to make his second minor league rehab start this week and could rejoin the Houston Astros' rotation after that.
The 41-year-old right-hander took his first step toward returning to the Astros by pitching three innings for Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday night. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is coming back from neck stiffness that’s sidelined him for two months.
“He bounced back well,” Houston manager Joe Espada said before Monday night's game at Tampa Bay. “He feels well. He feels good.”
Verlander hasn’t pitched in the majors since June 9. He also missed the beginning of the season with right shoulder inflammation before going 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA in 10 starts. He made his season debut April 19.
Kyle Tucker has a ways to go
In other injury-related news, Houston outfielder Kyle Tucker took flyballs off a fungo for the first time since fouling a ball off his right shin June 3 against St. Louis. He ran short sprints, went through agility drills and hit in an indoor batting cage.
You can watch some of Tucker's drills below. Many people in the comment section didn't feel like he was moving around very well and are concerned that he won't be back anytime soon. You can judge for yourself. Espada seemed happy with what he saw.
Here’s some bad video of Tucker pic.twitter.com/VcUuamtOaL
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 12, 2024
“I'm very pleased,” Espada said. “I think he's turning the corner. Now, we've got to improve from what we saw today. We've got to see more of that. He's tolerating the pain better. He's able to move around and he's recovering much better, which is huge.”
There’s been plenty of buzz about the Texans making moves during this year’s draft, and they didn’t waste any time proving it true.
Just hours before the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off, Houston has pulled off a trade with the Cleveland Browns.
It’s starting early today 👀
Texans Trade:
🔴 2025 5th round pick (166 overall)
🔴 2027 5th round pick
Browns Trade:
🔴 2025 6th round pick (179 overall)
🔴 2025 6th round pick (216 overall)
🔴 2025 7th round pick (255 overall) pic.twitter.com/b7VeYpJUNt
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 24, 2025
Houston is sending a 2025 5th round pick and a 2027 5th round pick to Cleveland in exchange for two 2025 6th round picks and one 2025 7th round selection.
While it's no certainty, it sure seems the Texans are trying to acquire as much capital as possible in the 2025 Draft to help them maneuver up and down the board over the next three days.
Texans GM Nick Caserio has a reputation as a wheeler and dealer, and this year is clearly no exception.
Will the Texans use this capital to move up in the first round? We're about to find out!
Go Texans!