Astros' Justin Verlander: Completes two-inning sim game

Verlander (neck) threw 37 pitches in a two-inning simulated game Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Verlander said that he felt good during the sim game and sported a fastball that peaked at 94 miles per hour. The right-hander expects to require two minor-league rehab starts before making his return from the 15-day injured list, so he probably won't be a realistic option for the Houston rotation until the second half of August. The Astros plan to expand their rotation to six men once Verlander comes off the IL, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.