Houston Astros Give Reason for Rejecting Ace in Last Start

The Houston Astros pushed their ace back from his scheduled start Saturday against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday due to a previously undisclosed physical issue.

Right-hander Justin Verlander was scratched because of neck discomfort, manager Joe Espada told reporters covering the team. By AthleticismVerlander has been dealing with discomfort for a few weeks.

The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner told reporters he tried to get through it. In each of his last two starts, he lasted five innings and allowed four earned runs in both outings.

Verlander is not on the injured list, but it is unclear when he will pitch next. Rookie Spencer Arrighetti replaced Verlander in the rotation for Saturday’s game against Verlander’s former team.

After the announcement, Verlander spoke with reporters and said that if it was a playoff situation, he would pitch. And, he said, the discomfort was not a gaming problem.

“When I was there, I felt like it didn’t really bother me, but when I go home and sit down and really think about it, I think it’s too much “It’s a coincidence that my mechanics were really upset at the same time when I was dealing with this,” Verlander said.

The Astros are dealing with a host of well-documented pitching injuries. Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy are out for the season as each recently underwent Tommy John surgery. Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. are at least a month away from being able to help as they recover from surgeries a season ago.

Another starter, JP France, is on the injured list at Triple-A Sugar Land and was shut down with a shoulder issue.

Verlander began the season on the injured list and returned a few weeks into the season. He is 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA in 10 starts. He struck out 57 and walked 17 in 58 innings.

Espada said Ronel Blanco could start Sunday on regular rest if Verlander is unable to pitch.