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

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (neck) said he's now throwing more than every other day and is feeling better. However, he did not give a timetable for when he could resume throwing off a mound again. The good news is that Verlander is throwing, but the bad news is he's recovering slowly from a neck issue and probably isn't going to be ready to return to Houston's starting rotation for the start of the second half of the season at this pace. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young is most likely going to require a minor-league rehab assignment before being reinstated from the injured list in the second half. Rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti's spot in Houston's rotation should be secure for a while with Verlander still sidelined. The future Hall of Famer is no longer a fantasy ace and has only a 21.3% strikeout rate this year, but he should still be stashed in all leagues.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada acknowledged on Thursday that right-hander Justin Verlander (neck) will not return to the team until after the All-Star break in mid-July. Neck soreness landed Verlander on the 15-day injured list in mid-June, and he won't return to the team's starting rotation until the second half of the season. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer has already resumed playing catch, though. Given the fact that Verlander hasn't thrown off a mound in almost a month, fantasy managers will need to expect him to need at least one minor-league rehab start before he returns to Houston's starting rotation. But if he avoids any setbacks, Verlander could be back in the fold before August. The three-time Cy Young winner isn't the dominant pitcher he was in his prime and is currently sorting a 21.3% strikeout rate with a 3.95 ERA (4.98 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP in 57 innings (10 starts).

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck), who has been on the injured list since June 16, is playing light catch at a distance of 60 feet. Verlander wasn't with the Astros for their series against the Blue Jays in Toronto, which started on Monday, but returning to light throwing is good news for a club that's been ravaged by pitching injuries during the first half of the season. According to manager Joe Espada, the club isn't ready to put a timetable on Verlander's return to Houston's rotation. With Verlander not making significant progress in his throwing program as he recovers from neck stiffness, fantasy managers should not be anticipating the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer's return coming prior to the All-Star break in mid-July.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (neck), who is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on Monday, will not travel with the team to New York on their upcoming road trip that starts on Friday against the Mets, according to manager Joe Espada. Verlander is improving but still hasn't started playing catch. The Astros continue their road trip next week in Toronto and Minnesota, but Verlander is unlikely to pitch in either of those series. And the longer the 41-year-old stays on the injured list, the more likely he'll be required to make a minor-league rehab start before rejoining Houston's rotation. While nothing is official yet, there's a chance we won't see the future Hall of Famer until after the All-Star break in mid-July.

Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) has yet to resume throwing as he remains on the injured list with neck discomfort. Astros manager Joe Espada said Verlander is progressing slower than the team expected. Espada stressed that soreness in Verlander's neck is keeping him from working his way back to the active roster. Before landing on the injured list on June 18, Verlander was (3-2) with a 3.95 ERA in 57 innings, striking out 51 and walking 17 with a 1.21 WHIP. Verlander is eligible to come off the injured list on Monday, but the Astros could be careful with the veteran and hold him out until the All-Star break. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Verlander on their rosters for now.