Justin Verlander DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) will throw a live bullpen session prior to Sunday's game against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays before heading out on a minor-league assignment. He faced hitters on the main mound at Minute Maid Park ahead of Wednesday's contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates and threw close to 30 pitches. There was some hope that Verlander could return to Houston's rotation without needing action in the minors as he ramped up in his throwing progression, but fantasy managers will likely have to wait until mid-to-late August before he's available again. The 41-year-old veteran right-hander was placed on the injured list back on June 18 with neck stiffness, going 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 17 walks in 10 starts (57 innings) before suffering the injury. Verlander should remain stashed in all fantasy leagues as an option to help rosters down the stretch.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) will throw on the main mound at Minute Maid Park ahead of Tuesday's game against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. "J.V. will be facing hitters, but the hitters will not swing," manager Joe Espada added. The 41-year-old veteran right-hander threw 50-plus pitches in the bullpen at Minute Maid Park prior to Saturday's game against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers, and he appears to be building toward a minor-league rehab assignment in the near future. Verlander went 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 51:17 K:BB in 10 starts before going down with neck stiffness, and he should be back in Houston's rotation sometime in early-to-mid August based on where he's currently at in his throwing progression. Fantasy managers should continue to hold onto the future Hall of Famer.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that right-hander Justin Verlander (neck) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday. Verlander threw a 40-pitch bullpen session last weekend and was scheduled to throw another on Wednesday, so he's clearly getting closer to going out on a minor-league rehab assignment as he attempts to return from a neck ailment that has kept him on the 15-day injured list since June 18. If the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young winner doesn't suffer a setback on Saturday, he could be cleared to move to a rehab assignment. Verlander is no longer as dominant towards the end of his illustrious career, but he's still useful in the right matchups in most fantasy leagues when he's healthy. He's posted a 21.3% strikeout rate with a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB in 10 starts (57 innings) for the 'Stros this year.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session ahead of Wednesday's game against the division-rival Oakland Athletics. Verlander threw all of his pitches during Saturday's 40-pitch session, and he still has a chance to return to Houston's rotation before the end of July if he's able to dodge going out on a brief minor-league rehab assignment before getting activated from the 15-day injured list. The 41-year-old veteran right-hander went 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 51 strikeouts in 10 starts (57 innings) before heading to the shelf with neck stiffness, and he should be stashed in all fantasy leagues with his return perhaps looming.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) completed a 40 pitch bullpen on Saturday. The bullpen marks progression for the right-hander after he threw a 25 pitch bullpen on Sunday. There's no indication yet whether Verlander will need to throw another bullpen before either starting a rehab assignment or coming back to the Astros' rotation, though it would be unlikely for him to not progress without another bullpen or a rehab assignment. The 41-year-old had posted a 3.95 ERA before dealing with neck discomfort. Fantasy managers should prepare for a return to the majors at some point in August unless the team states otherwise. In the meantime, fantasy managers looking for starting pitching help that weren't able to snag Hunter Brown may want to look at Spencer Arrighetti, who's season-long stats don't reflect the recent improvement (3.68 ERA and 28 K in his last four starts).