Houston’s right-handed pitcher, Justin Verlander, is making progress in his recovery from neck discomfort that placed him on the injured list a month ago. The three-time Cy Young winner is set to have another bullpen session on Saturday as he works towards returning to the mound. Manager Joe Espada mentioned that Verlander, along with Luis Garcia, will be throwing before the second game of the Astros’ series in Seattle. Verlander, who has been sidelined since June 9, is expected to throw around 25 pitches during this session, with hopes of increasing the intensity compared to his previous bullpen session.
Verlander, with a 3-2 record and a 3.95 ERA in 10 starts this season, initially missed the first 20 games due to inflammation in his right shoulder. On the other hand, Garcia is still on the road to recovery from Tommy John surgery he underwent in May 2023. While Garcia skipped a scheduled bullpen session last week, Espada reassured that it was not a setback in his rehabilitation process.
In addition to Verlander and Garcia’s progress, outfielder Kyle Tucker is also moving along in his recovery from a right shin contusion. Despite participating in throwing, hitting, and limited field drills during the Astros’ workout in Seattle, Tucker still needs to increase his running activity before being cleared to return to the bases. Tucker has been on the injured list since June 4, and the team is focused on getting him back to full speed.
Catcher Victor Caratini, who is rehabbing from a hip flexor strain, was transferred to Double-A Corpus Christi on Friday. His return to the Astros could be expected sometime next week, providing additional depth to the team’s roster. Furthermore, Lance McCullers Jr. received a second opinion on his right elbow, which revealed no structural damage. However, he has not yet been given the green light to resume throwing activities.
As the Astros continue to navigate through injuries and recoveries, the team remains hopeful for the return of key players like Verlander, Tucker, and Caratini. The progress made by these players in their rehabilitation processes is crucial for the team’s success as they strive to maintain their competitive edge in Major League Baseball. Stay tuned for more updates on the Astros and their journey throughout the season.
