Justin Verlander's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Houston Astros veteran right-hander Justin Verlander said he plans to continue his career and pitch in 2025. Verlander, who dealt with injuries in 2024 and pitched in only 17 games, wasn't even included on the team's playoff roster for the Wild-Card Series versus the Detroit Tigers, which the Astros lost in two games to get eliminated. In his 17 starts during the regular season, the three-time Cy Young winner had a bloated 5.48 ERA (4.78 FIP) and a 1.38 WHIP with 74 strikeouts and 27 walks in 90 1/3 innings pitched. His strikeout rate dropped to 18.7%, the first time it has been under 20% since 2014. The future Hall of Famer began the year on the injured list due to a right-shoulder injury and was later sidelined due to a neck injury. Verlander could bounce back with better health in 2025, but he'll also turn 42 before the season, and Father Time isn't on his side. Obviously, Verlander is no longer the fantasy ace he was for so many years.

The Houston Astros have left right-hander Justin Verlander off the roster for the wild-card series this week at Minute Maid Park against the Detroit Tigers. It's crazy to think that a three-time Cy Young winner won't be on the Astros' playoff roster, but considering what the 41-year-old has done this year, it doesn't come as that big of a surprise. Verlander battled injuries in his 19th MLB season and was only able to make 17 starts (90 1/3 innings), going 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA (4.78 FIP), a 1.38 WHIP, 74 strikeouts and 27 walks. The nine-time All-Star was not good in the second half of the season in his seven starts, allowing 30 earned runs on 46 hits (four home runs) while walking 10 and striking out 23 in 33 1/3 innings of work. Houston is rolling with left-hander Framber Valdez in Game 1 and will likely use Ronel Blanco and Yusei Kikuchi the rest of the series. If Houston advances to the ALDS to face Cleveland, Verlander could be added to the playoff roster.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander made his return to the mound against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. The 41-year-old looked sharp on the mound considering he has been sidelined the last two and a half months due to a neck issue. Verlander struck out six batters while allowing four hits and two runs over six innings of work. That is an extremely nice outing for a pitcher that hasn't thrown in a big league game since early June. The right-hander still appears to have something left in the tank. He'll take a 3.92 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 57/18 K/BB ratio into his next matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies. Fantasy managers looking for pitching help should check to see if Verlander is available.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) is currently scheduled to take the ball against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. The 41-year-old has been sidelined since mid-June due to a neck issue. Verlander looked good during his most recent rehab start at Double-A Corpus Christi on Thursday. It sounds like Verlander is ready to return after his bullpen session on Sunday went well. He holds a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, with 51 strikeouts across 10 starts this season. Verlander isn't the same pitcher he once was, but he should still be an asset in most fantasy formats.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) will make his next rehab assignment start later this week either at Triple-A Sugar Land or Double-A Corpus Christi. Verlander threw 52 pitches over three innings in a start for Sugar Land against El Paso on Saturday. The veteran right-hander allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three. "He bounced back well," manager Joe Espada said. If all goes well in his next minor-league rehab appearance, Verlander should be able to rejoin Houston's rotation by the middle of next week. Before going on the injured list due to neck stiffness, he went 3-2 with a respectable 3.95 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 17 walks in 10 starts (57 innings) for the Astros in 2024.