Houston Astros Boss Reveals Ace’s Next Steps in Injury Rehab

Manager Joe Espada recently gave a timeline for the return of the Houston Astros' injured Cy Young winner from his shoulder injury.

Oct 20, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws during the / Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports

Now that Justin Verlander has thrown a simulated game and recovered from it with no issues, manager Joe Espada felt comfortable revealing what Verlander’s next steps would be as he seeks to return to the starting rotation for the Houston Astros.

Verlander threw the equivalent of three innings on Monday at Minute Maid Park, hurling 52 pitches. It was designed to simulate game action for the 41-year-old, who hasn’t thrown in a live game since last October’s American League Championship Series.

On Tuesday, Espada talked about his next steps to return with the Houston media, including MLB.com.

Verlander will take one more bullpen session on Thursday in Houston, which is an off-day for the Astros before they head to Arlington, Texas, for a rematch with the Texas Rangers, who beat them in seven games in the ALCS last year.

Assuming the bullpen session goes well, Espada said, the next step would be the start of a rehab assignment in the minor leagues. That could happen a few days after the bullpen.

Verlander’s recent schedule has been to throw every third day. Both Triple-A Sugar Land and Double-A Corpus Christi are in action at home through Sunday.

If the Astros opt to wait until next week, Sugar Land will be in Albuquerque and Corpus Christi will be at Frisco.

The Astros are on a bit of a high after Ronel Blanco’s no-hitter on Monday, and getting Verlander back from the shoulder issue that put him about two weeks behind at the start of training camp would be a huge boost to the rotation.

The Astros have not been clear about how many rehab starts Verlander might need before he could join the starting rotation. The Astros put Verlander on the 15-day injured list to start the season.

Last season Verlander was 13-8 overall, he was 7-3 with a 3.31 ERA with the Astros. He posted his numbers in 27 starts as the start of his season was delayed due to injury. The Astros re-acquired him from the Mets at last season’s trade deadline for two outfield prospects — Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford.