It’s the start of spring training, and the Houston Astros already have bad news. Veteran right-hander Justin Verlander said a shoulder issue has put him behind his throwing schedule by a few weeks. It could very well jeopardize his status for Opening Day. Verlander told reports Wednesday that he experienced a “little hiccup” in his pitching shoulder.
“I’m a little bit behind schedule right now,” Verlander said. “I had a little hiccup early on that’s resolved itself. But I have to be really cautious on how I’m building up. I guess my body doesn’t respond the same at 40 as it did at 25.”
Astros pitcher Justin Verlander on his “hiccup,” which he says has resolved itself. He’s a couple of weeks behind schedule. pic.twitter.com/tqMajczi6F
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 14, 2024
Astros Verlander Being Cautious with Injury
The three-time Cy Young Award winner will be 41 next week. He also acknowledged that he is on a tight timeline and said he will prioritize rest.
“I’ve always liked to give myself as much rest as possible, so my timeline is always a little tight,” he said. “I think that rest is important, so with the tight timeline and having to slow things down a little bit, put me a little behind.”
Verlander, who was traded back to the Astros from the New York Mets, also experienced a delayed start last year. He didn’t debut until May 4, making 16 starts for New York before returning to Houston. The injury concern is minor right now. However, it’s not the ideal situation Houston wants to be in,, as a couple of their rotation members are dealing with issues. The Astros will already be without Luis García and Lance McCullers Jr. to start the season, with both pitchers undergoing surgeries last year.
Without those two, Houston’s rotation is projected to be Verlander, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, and Hunter Brown.
J.P. France Dealing with Same Injury Issue
Verlander isn’t alone in the injury department, as J.P. France is dealing with shoulder inflammation, too. France felt something in his shoulder in his final bullpen session before camp two weeks ago. There isn’t too much worry since both pitchers are playing catch.
“We’re taking it day by day,” France said. “I’m not trying to push it too much, not trying to make a week’s worth of injury into months. We’re just taking it slow.”
France, who will be 29 in April, tossed 136 1/3 innings last year with a 3.83 ERA, 17.4% strikeout rate, 8.1% walk rate, and a 42.8% ground ball rate. While he is not guaranteed a roster spot since he has options, he would have been a candidate to step up if Verlander needed to miss. Yet that could be in jeopardy if France misses time.
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