Astros’ Justin Verlander to make Triple-A rehab start on Sat.
HOUSTON — Astros right-hander Justin Verlander is set for a rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land, the next step in his return from neck stiffness that has sidelined the three-time Cy Young Award winner for two months.
Verlander, 41, will pitch in the Houston suburb on Saturday night, three days after his latest bullpen session for the Astros. He has said he will need two rehab starts before rejoining the Astros.
Verlander hasn’t pitched since June 9. He missed the beginning of the season with right shoulder inflammation before going 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA in 10 starts. He made his season debut April 19
A two-time World Series champion with the Astros, Verlander left for the New York Mets in free agency before the 2023 season. He was traded back to Houston in August last year.
Verlander is the active major league leader in wins (260) and is second to Max Scherzer, another three-time Cy Young winner, in strikeouts. Scherzer has 3,404 to 3,393 for Verlander.
Sugar Land is planning to give away Verlander bobbleheads to the first 2,000 fans Saturday night.
Rockies shut down German Marquez for remainder of season
Colorado Rockies right-hander German Marquez will miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right elbow, manager Bud Black said Thursday.
Black said the injury was not due to the rebuilt ulnar collateral ligament in Marquez’s elbow. The skipper said Marquez is expected to recover in approximately six to eight weeks.
Marquez’s return following Tommy John surgery lasted all of four innings. He faced the New York Mets on July 14 — his first start since April 26, 2023 — and was placed on the 15-day injured list on July 22.
In that game, Marquez passed Jorge De La Rosa for the franchise lead in strikeouts with 986.
An All-Star in 2021, Marquez owns a 65-56 record with a 4.42 ERA in 177 appearances (174 starts) with the Rockies
