Canada Sport News

Justin Verlander of the Astros will throw another bullpen session as part of his recovery from a neck injury
  • news
    •

    Justin Verlander of the Astros will throw another bullpen session as part of his recovery from a neck injury

    SEATTLE — Houston righty Justin Verlander is expected to throw another bullpen session on Saturday as the three-time Cy Young winner tries to work his way back from neck discomfort that landed him on the injured list a month ago.

    Houston manager Joe Espada said Verlander and Luis Garcia are expected to throw before the second game of the Astros’ series in Seattle. The 41-year-old Verlander has been out since June 9 and is expected to throw around 25 pitches. Espada said the hope is that Verlander will be able to increase the intensity during this session.

    “Last time he threw his side he threw all of his pitches, so hopefully there will be more intensity behind these pitches,” Espada said.

    Verlander is 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA in 10 starts this season for Houston. He missed the first 20 games of the season due to inflammation in his right shoulder before making his debut on April 19.

    Garcia is still in the process of recovering from Tommy John surgery. Garcia didn’t throw a scheduled bullpen session last week, but at the time Espada didn’t view it as a setback.

    Garcia underwent surgery in May 2023.

    Espada also said outfielder Kyle Tucker continues to make progress in his recovery from a right shin contusion but that he needs start doing more running. Tucker has been throwing, hitting and did some limited field drills during the Astros workout in Seattle on Thursday, but needs to improve to the point of being able to do more movement.

    Tucker has been on the injured list since June 4.

    “We need to get him running, to put some weight on that leg. He’s hitting, he’s throwing, but we’re not quite there yet to let him loose on the bases,” Espada said.

    Houston catcher Victor Caratini was transferred to Double-A Corpus Christi on Friday as part of his rehab assignment from a hip flexor strain. Caratini could join the Astros sometime next week.

    Espada also said Lance McCullers Jr. had a second opinion on his right elbow that showed no structural damage, but he has not been cleared to start throwing.

    More from Sportsnet
    Dodgers’ Tyler Glasnow throws simulated game, expected to start vs. Giants next week


    Nationals GM Mike Rizzo happy with team’s progress even as he sells

    Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander is making progress in his recovery from a neck injury that has kept him sidelined since the beginning of the season. The veteran right-hander will be throwing another bullpen session as part of his rehabilitation process, a positive sign that he is on track to return to the mound in the near future.

    Verlander, who is a former Cy Young Award winner and World Series champion, has been dealing with neck discomfort since spring training. The injury forced him to start the season on the injured list, but he has been working diligently with the team’s medical staff to get back to full strength.

    The upcoming bullpen session will be a key test for Verlander, as it will allow him to gauge his progress and see how his neck responds to the increased intensity of throwing off a mound. If all goes well, he could potentially begin facing live hitters in simulated games before embarking on a minor league rehab assignment.

    The Astros have sorely missed Verlander’s presence in their starting rotation, as he is widely regarded as one of the top pitchers in the game. His return would provide a much-needed boost to a team that has struggled to find consistency on the mound in his absence.

    While there is still no definitive timeline for Verlander’s return, the fact that he is progressing to the point of throwing bullpen sessions is an encouraging sign for both him and the Astros. Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on his status as he continues his journey back to the mound.