Houston Astros Ace Blasted Again In Injury Rehab Start

Justin Verlander is getting his injury rehab work in, but the results in the box score don't measure up to his standard.

Feb 16, 2024; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) looks / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Astros starter Justin Verlander had another rough outing in his second injury rehab start on Saturday with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks.

Verlander joined the Hooks in Frisco, where they were taking on the Texas Rangers’ Double-A affiliate, the Frisco RoughRiders. Verlander had earlier pitched for the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys last weekend.

The Astros wanted Verlander to get to 75 pitches and he was able through 77 pitches in four innings. But that was the only good thing about the outing.

Verlander gave up seven hits, six runs (five earned) and one walk while he struck out three. That brought his ERA in two rehab starts down to 11.25.

The game got away from Verlander in the third inning, as the RoughRiders scored six runs in the frame.

Verlander gave up five hits in the frame, while throwing one wild pitch and an error putting another runner on base.

The game also gave Verlander a chance to square off with another Major League player on an injury rehab assignment — Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.

Saturday was his second game with the RoughRiders and Lowe went 0-for-2 against Verlander in three plate appearances. He walked in the third and scored.

The Astros are expected to make a decision about Verlander after the second start.

Last Sunday Verlander made his first appearance on a mound in a live game since last year’s ALCS when he threw for the Space Cowboys against the Las Vegas Aviators.

He threw three-plus innings, giving up seven hits, seven runs (six earned) and one walk. He also struck out six. He threw 65 pitches, 46 of which were strikes.

After that he joined the Astros in Kansas City and threw a bullpen session to stay on track.

Verlander is working back from a shoulder issue that set him back at the start of spring training and put him two weeks behind the rest of the rotation.

The Astros could use a healthy veteran starter right now. The Astros placed left-hander Framber Valdez on the injured list on Tuesday. Three other starters — Jose Urquidy, Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. — are also on the injured list.

Last season Verlander was 13-8 overall, he was 7-3 with a 3.31 ERA with the Astros. He posted his numbers in 27 starts as the start of his season was delayed due to injury. The Astros re-acquired him from the Mets at last season’s trade deadline for two outfield prospects — Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford.