Justin Verlander DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Justin Verlander lasted just 2 1/3 innings in Friday's 10-9 victory over the Mariners in extra innings. The veteran allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two. The nine-time All-Star threw 65 pitches in the limited time he was on the mound before being pulled. The righty has combined for less than eight innings over his first two starts, owning a 6.14 ERA and a gaudy 1.91 WHIP along with a 3:7 BB:K. With diminishing strikeout rates for four consecutive seasons and corresponding increases in ERA and WHIP, the three-time Cy Young winner has become a dicey fantasy play. He'll face off with the Reds at home in his next turn through the rotation.

San Francisco Giants right-hander Justin Verlander (back, shoulder) said on a video call with the media that he started throwing earlier this offseason and is up to 92 mph and is feeling good. Verlander was limited to 17 starts with the Houston Astros last season in his 19th year in the big leagues due to back and shoulder ailments, but he said he's addressed the physical issues that cut his season short in 2024. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Gigantes last week and will hope to stay healthier in his 20th MLB campaign. The three-time Cy Young winner and former MVP will be hoping to rebound in his new digs in a good pitcher's park in the Bay Area in 2025, but with his strikeout rate continuing to fall and with injuries now a big issue, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the San Francisco Giants have signed free agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander to a one-year contract pending physical. The 41-year-old had a disappointing season last season with the Astros as he posted a 5.48 ERA and a 1.38 across 90 1/3 innings of work. The right-hander opened the season on the injured list with a shoulder injury and then missed time due to a neck injury. However, during 2022 and 2023, Verlander held a cumulative 2.45 ERA and 0.98 WHIP and was the AL Cy Young winner in 2022. Last season, the veteran saw his K rate drop to a low 18.7% rate but he continued to suppress hard contact as he generated a strong 32.5% hard-hit rate and a 6.9% barrel rate. Fantasy managers should expect Verlander to have a spot in the starting rotation throughout the 2025 campaign and is worth a look in deeper formats as he hopes to bounce back from an injury riddled 2024.