Kate Upton Shares Intriguing Update on Astros’ Justin Verlander’s Injury

Injury updates in sports are often provided by the team, coaches, and reporters. The latest injury update on Justin Verlander, however, was provided by the Houston Astros’ star pitcher’s wife, Kate Upton, via SportsTalk 790.

“He’s feeling really good,” Upton mentioned regarding Verlander’s neck injury while speaking on Bravo. She added, “I don’t know, like, details because I’m there for the emotional support.”

When asked if Verlander will be pitching soon, she simply responded, “I don’t know.”

Verlander has been sidelined since June due to neck discomfort. Upton’s comment that Verlander is “feeling really good” is encouraging, but there is still uncertainty about his return to the mound.

At 41 years old, Verlander has participated in just 10 games so far in 2024 due to recurring injuries. During his time on the mound, he has recorded a 3.95 ERA across 57 innings. Despite not being dominant, he still performed well, especially considering his age. Maintaining an ERA below 4.00 at this stage of his career is quite impressive.

Verlander has had an illustrious career in recent years. In 2022, he won the American League Cy Young Award after posting an outstanding 1.75 ERA. That same year, he was instrumental in leading the Astros to a World Series championship.

While Houston started the 2024 season slowly, they have shown significant improvement recently. The Astros are now just two games behind the Seattle Mariners in the American League West as the All-Star break approaches.

With regards to whether Verlander’s injury will impact the Astros’ trade plans, the answer is both yes and no. Verlander’s setback certainly adds another factor for Houston to consider ahead of the 2024 MLB trade deadline. Whenever a star player like Verlander is injured, teams inevitably consider acquiring external options if necessary. For the Astros, though, the issue extends beyond Verlander.

Houston’s pitching rotation has been severely affected by injuries in 2024. In addition to Verlander, pitchers Cristian Javier, Jose Urquidy, Lance McCullers Jr., and Luis Garcia are also injured. Given these circumstances, acquiring pitching talent from other teams seems like a viable option for the Astros as the trade deadline approaches.

It remains to be seen how aggressively the Astros will pursue trades in the market. Earlier in the season, there were rumors that the team might consider selling. However, their recent resurgence has put them back in serious contention.

As the trade deadline nears, the Astros will likely look for pitching upgrades. Whether they can secure a star player remains uncertain, but they are expected to add at least one or two pitchers for depth.

The Astros undoubtedly have potential. The team has a World Series ceiling. However, competing in the American League will be challenging. Teams such as the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, and Cleveland Guardians will pose serious threats.

Despite these challenges, the Astros have been extremely successful over the past few years. They remain confident, driven by their veteran leadership.

We will continue to monitor and provide updates on Justin Verlander’s injury status as they become available.

Source: SportsTalk 790