Came Back from Injury Too Early

Houston’s ace pitcher, Justin Verlander, has faced significant challenges this season after dealing with a neck injury that sidelined him for nearly two months. Following a recent lackluster performance in a game against the Angels, Verlander expressed that perhaps he returned to the mound too soon.

After the Houston Astros secured a 9-7 victory, the 41-year-old right-hander shared his reflections on his current situation. “I think I came back from the neck injury a little fast,” he admitted. Verlander is keenly aware of how crucial his contribution is to the team and his desire to pitch effectively. However, he acknowledged that the outcomes of his recent starts have not met expectations.

In his latest outing, Verlander struggled, allowing eight hits and six runs over 4 and 2/3 innings. This performance marked the third time in just four starts that he has given up at least five runs and eight hits, raising concerns about his effectiveness in an essential period of the season.

The struggles he has faced on the mound have led to speculation about his potential exclusion from the Astros’ playoff roster, particularly as the team looks to solidify their position as AL West leaders with a magic number now at four. When asked about Verlander’s postseason contributions, Astros manager Joe Espada remained noncommittal. He emphasized the team’s overarching goal of reaching the playoffs and supporting players in their pursuit of success.

Since rejoining the team on August 21, Verlander has won only one of his six starts and hasn’t pitched more than five innings in any game. Reflecting on his struggles, he remarked, “I haven’t been good since I’ve been back, so it’s hard.” Nonetheless, Verlander remains optimistic, recalling that he has navigated difficult phases in his career before and believes he can work through this challenging period.

As he exited the field during his final home start of the regular season, Verlander received a warm ovation from the crowd. Grateful for their support, he acknowledged, “These fans know the game, they pay attention.” He expressed appreciation for their recognition of his hard work and dedication to bouncing back from his injury.

Currently in his 20th season in Major League Baseball, Verlander described this stretch as one of the toughest in his career. With a record of 4-6 and a 5.55 ERA across 16 starts this year, he is seeking consistency in his performance. “Every time I pitched, I’ve felt like I’m kind of inching closer to where I want to be,” he said, while also noting that the results have not reflected that progress.

When confronted with the prospect of being left off the postseason roster, Verlander acknowledged that the decision is not ultimately his to make. However, he remarked on how the urgency of the moment likely influenced his earlier return to the rotation. “I see the calendar, I know what time of year it is,” he stated. “I needed to figure out where I was at,” he added, labeling the experience as a challenging lesson and expressing no regrets about his decision to return to the field to help his teammates.

Verlander remains committed to working through his struggles and contributing to the team’s success as they approach the playoffs.