Astros pitcher Justin Verlander is experiencing a slight delay in his typical Spring Training routine due to a shoulder problem, setting him back a couple of weeks. Speaking to the media, Verlander explained that he’s being cautious with his progress, acknowledging that his body responds differently at 40 than it did at 25. He described encountering a setback early on when resuming throwing, prompting him to take a step back and approach his training regimen with added care.
The concern appears to be relatively minor for now, although it’s not ideal for the team to have key members of its pitching rotation dealing with issues at the start of camp. General manager Dana Brown mentioned that both Verlander and fellow pitcher J.P. France are currently dealing with shoulder concerns but emphasized that they are still able to engage in throwing activities, which is encouraging.
Verlander’s injury history includes a shoulder issue last spring while with the Mets, which delayed his season debut until May. Despite these setbacks, he managed to contribute significantly throughout the season, although his performance wasn’t as dominant as in previous years.
With Verlander’s status uncertain for Opening Day and Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis García already set to begin the season on the injured list, the Astros may need to rely on their depth in the pitching rotation earlier than anticipated. This could potentially involve giving opportunities to pitchers like France, José Urquidy, or Brandon Bielak.
Brown has expressed a perpetual interest in bolstering the team’s pitching depth, especially given the length and demands of a 162-game season. Despite the team’s already sizable payroll and the relatively minor nature of the current injuries, they may still explore options in free agency if further setbacks occur.
Overall, while the Astros are navigating some early challenges in their pitching staff, they have the financial means to address any additional needs that may arise throughout the season.
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