Justin Verlander's nightmare season may end without him appearing in the postseason.
The third-seeded Astros removed the struggling right-hander from their wild-card roster before playing the sixth-seeded Tigers at home on Tuesday.
Verlander, a two-time World Series champion and ALCS MVP, posted a 5.48 ERA in an injury-shortened season in which he started 17 games.
The Astros did not discuss using him as a relief pitcher for the three-game series. According to The AthleticHowever, if the Astros advance, there's a chance he could return in one of the later rounds.
“It was a very easy conversation. Justin Verlander is a professional. He knows how well our starting pitchers have to perform throughout the season.” Astros manager Joe Espada said: Tuesday before the first game. “So when we had this conversation, he was giving it his all. He's going to do what's best for this team.” So I'm looking forward to his feedback and his season and last few games. I appreciated how he evaluated his starting role. A true professional. He's a true professional. ”
Verlander's absence is more notable than his resume in 2024 for who he is and what he accomplished in a career that will surely make him a Hall of Famer.
The Astros only needed three starting pitchers for this series, but Verlander wasn't one of the best three starting pitchers this year and had the worst ERA of his career, excluding his two starts in his rookie season. Recorded.
Verlander was placed on the disabled list earlier this year with shoulder inflammation, but returned, but was placed on injured reserve on June 9 with a neck injury.
In late September, he admitted that he had returned from his neck injury too soon, and since returning on August 21, he has posted a record of 2 wins, 4 losses, and an ERA of 8.10 in 7 games.
The schedule worked out for him against Verlander as his last pitching was on Saturday, and he was not able to take regular breaks until Thursday to pitch. The veteran has not started since he has been resting for four days since his return.
Instead, Houston will use Framber Valdez in Game 1, with Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco, Yusei Kikuchi and even Spencer Arrigetti listed as potential starters.
“We don't want to ignore JV for the rest of the postseason, but the wild card discussions were very easy,” Espada said, according to The Athletic. “I understand the JV.”
Verlander seems to have known from the beginning that something like this could happen, and since he will become a free agent after failing to qualify for the option, there is a possibility that he will pitch in his final game with the Astros. There is.
“I've been away for two months, and all the players have been pitching great. I've seen a lot of guys really come into their own,” Verlander said on Sept. 20 against the Angels. He spoke after making his starting appearance in the game. According to MLB.com. “When I look at the calendar, I know what time it is. That's why I had to come back and find myself.
“As a pitcher, there's only one way to be successful in this game and that's to pitch against some of the best talent in the world. There was no way you could sit there and buy time. Know where you are. I had to do it. It was a tough learning experience, but I don't regret it. I want to show up and be there for them.”
