On Tuesday, the Houston Astros struck gold when they brought back veteran right-hander and two-time World Series champion Justin Verlander in a trade with the New York Mets.
The right-hander had joined the Mets in free agency over the winter after winning his second World Series title with the Astros.
However, the three-time Cy Young and nine-time All-Star is back with the Astros.
On Thursday, the defending World Series champions opened up a four-game series against the New York Yankees.
During the game, Ken Rosenthal caught up with Astros manager Dusty Baker, who discussed what it was like to have Verlander back on his team.
Dusty Baker talks with @Ken_Rosenthal about what it's like to see his team pitch against Aaron Judge, and how it was seeing Justin Verlander walk back into the Astros clubhouse today pic.twitter.com/xETQXGIJ2E
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 4, 2023
Baker said it was truly thrilling to have Verlander back in Astros threads and discussed the moment when the veteran right-hander walked back into the clubhouse on Thursday.
According to Baker, the excitement was palpable among him and his players, who couldn’t wait to see their old friend make his triumphant return.
The Astros manager said that Verlander was “all smiles” as he walked back into the Astros clubhouse.
Baker was certainly shocked that the Astros were able to get their veteran ace back less than a year after losing him to the Mets over the winter.
He said it’s something that you never expect to happen, and that if it does, it usually takes at least a year for that return to come to fruition.
However, Baker got the joy of seeing Verlander return to the Astros less than a year after his departure.
NEXT: Justin Verlander Comments On Rejoining The Astros
