Justin Verlander had a disappointing outing in his first injury rehabilitation start for the Houston Astros’ Triple-A team, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. The 41-year-old pitcher allowed six earned runs and struck out six batters while pitching into the fourth inning. Verlander struggled to find his rhythm, as five of the six hits he allowed were for extra bases, resulting in five runs.
Despite the rough performance, Verlander expressed satisfaction with achieving his primary goal of throwing 65 pitches and feeling healthy. He acknowledged that his timing was off, leading to some erratic pitches, but emphasized that the only way to improve is by spending more time on the mound. Verlander’s experience and self-awareness are crucial as he works his way back from a shoulder injury.
Astros manager Joe Espada commented on Verlander’s start, noting that his stuff looked good with some impressive pitches. Espada emphasized the importance of Verlander’s recovery and how he rebounds physically after the outing. Verlander’s health and progress will ultimately determine his return to the Astros’ starting rotation.
Following his rehab start, Verlander is expected to make at least one more appearance in the minor leagues before potentially rejoining the Astros. His track record as a three-time Cy Young Award winner and previous success with the team indicate that he has the skill and determination to overcome this setback. Verlander’s resilience and work ethic will be vital in his comeback.
In addition to Verlander, Astros right-hander Shawn Dubin also made his rehab debut, showing promise with two strikeouts in four batters faced. Dubin’s progress from a right forearm strain will be closely monitored as he aims to return to full strength for the Astros’ pitching staff. The team’s depth and the successful recoveries of both pitchers will be key factors in their future success.
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