Returned from Injury Sooner Than Expected

Houston – Justin Verlander faced significant challenges on the mound as he dealt with the aftermath of a neck injury that sidelined him for nearly two months this summer. After a difficult start in the Astros’ recent 9-7 victory over the Angels, the 41-year-old pitcher reflected on his comeback, acknowledging he may have returned to action too quickly.

“I think I came back from the neck injury a little fast,” Verlander remarked. “I know the schedule, the calendar, and I want to be an asset for this team. To do that, I need to pitch and assess where I’m at. Clearly, the results haven’t been favorable, but all I can do is continue to pitch.”

During the game, Verlander struggled, giving up eight hits and six runs over 4⅔ innings. It marked the third time in four outings that the three-time Cy Young Award winner has allowed at least five runs along with eight hits.

His recent performances have sparked speculation regarding his inclusion in the upcoming playoff roster for the AL West leaders, especially with the team’s magic number now down to four following their latest victory. When asked if Verlander could contribute effectively in the postseason, manager Joe Espada remained evasive. “I’ve talked to you every single day. I’m not going to get into playoff implications. We’re just trying to get to the playoffs and put the guys in a position to succeed,” he stated.

Verlander had been placed on the injured list on June 15 and made his return on August 21. Since his comeback, he has only secured one win in six starts and hasn’t pitched more than five innings in any of those appearances. “I haven’t been good since I’ve been back, so it’s tough,” he admitted. “I’ve faced hard stretches in my career before, and I just have to find a way to work through it.”

Despite his struggles, Verlander was met with warm applause as he left the mound during what would be his last home start of the regular season. He acknowledged the support, saying, “These fans know the game, they pay attention. They see me out there grinding and giving everything I have. I’ve worked incredibly hard to recover quickly from this injury and to receive that ovation after a tough outing really touched me.”

In what marks his 20th season in Major League Baseball, Verlander described this period as one of the hardest in his illustrious career. With a record of 4-6 and a 5.55 ERA in 16 starts this season, he has faced a tough battle to regain form.

“Every time I’ve pitched, I feel like I’m inching closer to where I want to be,” he elaborated. “But there’s a lack of consistency as you can see in the results. At this level, the margin for error is incredibly small. I felt promising in the early innings today, but then things just unraveled.”

When confronted with the possibility of not making the playoff roster, Verlander commented that the decision lies outside of his control. Yet, he recognized he may have rushed his return, attempting to contribute to the team as October approaches. “I see the calendar and know what time of year it is,” he explained. “That’s why I felt the need to come back quickly and find my rhythm. Sitting out and giving myself time wasn’t an option; I needed to determine where I was at. It’s been tough; a hard lesson learned, but I don’t regret my decision. I want to be here for these guys and support them.”