Fantasy News

• Astros' Justin Verlander: Plays catch Sunday

  Rotowire Jun 16, 2024

  Verlander (neck) played catch Sunday and manager Joe Espada left the door open for Verlander to return to Houston's rotation this week against the White Sox, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. It sounds like Verlander is already 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 winner could return for a prime matchup in Chicago, though Espada said it's 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: Allows one run in no-decision

  Rotowire May 30, 2024

  Verlander did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's loss to the Mariners, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out nine. Verlander got off to a great start, hurling 1-2-3 innings in three of the first four frames before surrendering a solo homer to Dominic Canzone in the fifth. The veteran right-hander would only allow a walk from that point on and managed to go seven innings for the third time in his last six starts. Verlander also matched his season high with nine strikeouts, which he also recorded in his previous start against the Athletics.

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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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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Blasted by Yankees

  Rotowire May 8, 2024

  Verlander (1-1) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up seven runs on eight hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over five innings as the Astros were routed 10-3 by the Yankees. He struck out two. The 41-year-old right-hander looked his age, managing only six swinging strikes among his 97 pitches as he got tagged for his most earned runs in a start since July 2, 2017 against Cleveland. Verlander has served up five homers in four starts and 22.1 innings, which isn't unusual for him, but he's beginning to have trouble keeping traffic off the basepaths ahead of the long balls -- he's walked at least three batters in three straight starts. He'll take a 4.43 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 15:10 K:BB into his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the A's.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Goes seven innings in no-decision

  Rotowire May 2, 2024

  Verlander pitched seven innings in a no-decision against the Guardians on Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two. Verlander allowed the leadoff man to reach in four of his seven innings of work but managed to limit the damage to only two runs, both of which came across in the top of the fifth. The veteran right-hander struggled to get ahead in the count for much of the contest and has now issued at least three walks in back-to-back starts, though he's still held opposing teams to two or fewer runs in all three outings to open the campaign. Wednesday also marked Verlander's first start this season in which he's gone at least seven innings.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Goes 4.1 scoreless

  Rotowire Apr 26, 2024

  Verlander didn't factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three hits and four walks with seven strikeouts over 4.1 scoreless innings against the Cubs. Verlander couldn't complete five innings Thursday, getting pulled after 95 pitches. His inefficiency and lack of control led to four walks, but he kept each baserunner from reaching home plate. Through two starts Verlander owns a 1.74 ERA with 11 strikeouts across 10.1 innings. A matchup with the Guardians likely awaits next week.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Reinstated ahead of season debut

  Rotowire Apr 19, 2024

  Verlander (shoulder) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and is starting Friday against the Nationals. Verlander missed the first few weeks of the season rehabbing from a shoulder issue but will make his 2024 debut Friday in Washington. According to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, manager Joe Espada said the Astros plan to limit the veteran right-hander to around 80-85 pitches, which would be a minor increase on the 77 pitches Verlander threw in his final rehab start.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Set for season debut Friday

  Rotowire Apr 17, 2024

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (shoulder) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut Friday against the Nationals, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Verlander got through a bullpen session Tuesday with no issues, clearing the way for his season debut after he completed his rehab program for right shoulder inflammation. The 41-year-old went four innings and threw 77 pitches in his last rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi over the weekend, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and one walk in the process. Verlander should be able to handle around 90 pitches Friday, although it's unclear whether the Astros have a specific pitch count in mind.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Aiming for weekend return

  Rotowire Apr 15, 2024

  Verlander (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, and if all goes well, he's expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to make his first start of the season this weekend in Washington, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Verlander gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out three over four innings in his second minor-league rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi this past weekend. While his results weren't encouraging, Verlander more importantly built up to 77 pitches and reported no setbacks coming out of the rehab outing. He'll link back up with the Astros this week and will have his bullpen session monitored by the coaching and training staffs, but assuming he checks out fine, he should be on track to start Friday's series opener versus the Nationals.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Could make season debut Friday

  Rotowire Apr 14, 2024

  Manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Verlander (shoulder) could return from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut Friday against the Nationals, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Espada noted that he has yet to check in with Verlander since the veteran right-hander made his second minor-league rehab start Saturday with Double-A Corpus Christi. He covered four innings and tossed 77 pitches in that outing while allowing five earned runs on seven hits and one walk, but as long as Verlander informs the Houston coaching staff that he's feeling fine physically, the 41-year-old should get the green light to make his next start with the big club. Verlander hasn't pitched particularly well in his two rehab starts while allowing 11 earned runs, but the Astros may not want to delay his return any longer given their early season rotation issues.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Set for rehab start Saturday

  Rotowire Apr 12, 2024

  Verlander (shoulder) will make his second rehab start Saturday for Double-A Corpus Christi, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Verlander made his first rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on April 7. He was able to go three innings and struck out six batters, but he also allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk. He reported no issues with his shoulder though, and he will now look to build up his workload Saturday.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Set for another minor-league start

  Rotowire Apr 8, 2024

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Verlander (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday and will have another minor-league rehab start on the weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. It's unclear which affiliate Verlander will start for, but the veteran right-hander appears to be progressing through his rehab well. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk over three innings in Sunday's outing with Triple-A Sugar Land, but he also struck out six batters.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Set for rehab start Sunday

  Rotowire Apr 3, 2024

  Verlander (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Verlander will throw one more bullpen session at Minute Maid Park on Thursday before heading out on his rehab assignment. He's expected to throw around 70-to-75 pitches Sunday for Sugar Land. Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that the team is confident Verlander will need just two rehab starts, which could put him on track to rejoin the rotation as soon as April 17 against Atlanta. Verlander has been working his way back from right shoulder inflammation.

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• Astros' Justin Verlander: Throws three-inning simulated game

  Rotowire Apr 1, 2024

  Verlander (shoulder) threw a three-inning, 52-pitch simulated game Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Verlander came out of the session without any issues. Although nothing definitive has been determined yet, his next step is expected to be beginning a rehab assignment. The 41-year-old figures to require at least a couple rehab starts before rejoining the Astros' rotation. Verlander has been working his way back from a right shoulder problem.

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