Houston Astros General Manager Offers a Sincere View of Justin Verlander’s Illness
An update on Justin Verlander’s shoulder issue is provided by Dana Brown.
When players reported for spring training and it was revealed that Justin Verlander was suffering from a shoulder issue that had caused him to fall behind schedule in the early stages of camp, Houston Astros fans were taken aback.
Verlander is a key member of the Astros’ World Series-contending team, so losing him would be devastating. At forty years of age, Verlander pitched 162 1/3 innings with a 3.22 ERA in the 2023 season.
It is hoped that he can revert to his 2022 form, which included winning the Cy Young Award and posting a 1.75 ERA. Age and injuries do play a role, though, so even a season like 2023 would be beneficial for this team.
Houston will be in a better position than they would be otherwise, as long as he can maintain his health.
General manager Dana Brown seemed upbeat about Verlander’s recuperation when he was questioned by MLB.com’s Bill Ladson regarding his worries over his shoulder.
“Verlander shouldn’t be an issue. He continued tossing the entire time. He should be alright, in my opinion.”
That’s encouraging for Verlander as he attempts to advance with the Astros.
Brown clarified that, despite his delay, it’s crucial to keep in mind that he is older and aware of his physical limitations.
Another encouraging sign is that Verlander is still throwing bullpens, having never been shut down.
They’ll need both to be healthy because Framber Valdez and Verlander are expected to be the top two arms in this rotation. The Astros’ primary objective this year should be to have Verlander totally healthy before the postseason, even if it means he misses a few starts in the process.
