After undergoing an MRI on Monday, Houston Astros starter Justin Verlander is visiting the 15-day injured list with a right calf injury.
The issue is not extremely serious, but is expected to keep him out of action at least for a couple of weeks.
The team announced that the MRI showed “fascial disruption, but no muscle fiber disruption” in his right calf.
It means it could have been worse, but he will have to rest for a few days anyway.
The pitcher may have been suggesting that his IL stint is a “phantom” one to help protect his arm for the playoffs, but he clarified that is not the case.
“Justin Verlander: ‘Look there was an injury, but when it comes to calf injuries, I kind of dodged a bullet here. …This is about as good of news as I could have gotten,'” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweeted.
Justin Verlander: "Look there was an injury, but when it comes to calf injuries, I kind of dodged a bullet here. …This is about as good of news as I could have gotten.''
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 30, 2022
He Should Be Able To Return This Year
The Astros, and the pitcher, seem to believe that his availability for the postseason is not in question at this time.
The injury could effectively take the 39-year-old ace out of the run for the AL Cy Young.
He was having a stellar season, with a 1.84 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP, and 154/26 K/BB ratio over 152 innings (24 starts) this year.
He was, however, removed from his Sunday start against the Baltimore Orioles as he battled some right calf soreness.
As for the Astros, Cristian Javier will return to the rotation, and the team is also expected to call up pitching prospect Hunter Brown from the minor leagues.
Verlander should be able to return at some point this season, as Houston prepares for another run at the World Series.
NEXT: Astros GM Comments On Justin Verlander's Injury