Houston Astros announce multiple roster moves, latest on Justin Verlander

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Houston Astros announce multiple roster moves, latest on Justin Verlander
Hunter Brown has been added to the Taxi Squad. Composite image by Brandon Strange.

The Houston Astros announced on Tuesday that Justin Verlander will be heading to the 15-day IL, and Brandon Bielak will be joining the big league club from AAA. The other notable move for the pitching staff is top prospect Hunter Brown joining the Taxi Squad.


According to the Astros, Verlander's calf showed fascial disruption, but no muscle fiber disruption.

Astros general manager James Click seems to think this is good news.

Verlander spoke about the injury.

More moves coming

Brian McTaggart also reported on Monday evening that AAA prospect Yainer Diaz will be joining the Astros, but it looks like September will have to officially begin before that move is made. In the meantime, J.J. Matijevic will join the Astros with Jake Meyers going back to Sugar Land.

Meyers just hasn't been able to produce after returning this year after shoulder surgery following the 2021 season.

One big question

The next big question to be answered involves Cristian Javier's role with Verlander heading to the IL. Will he go back to the rotation, or stay in the bullpen with Hunter Brown starting? Our guess would be Javier returns to the rotation, with Brown getting bullpen work in while pitching for the Space Cowboys as of late. But, we'll have to wait to get confirmation.

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The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.

There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.

Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.

Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.

He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.

Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.

Key moment

The home run by Peraza.

Key stat

It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.

Up next

LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.

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