The tentative plan is for Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (calf) to return to the starting rotation on Friday against the Oakland Athletics, but manager Dusty Baker said it's not finalized yet. Verlander has already thrown multiple bullpen sessions without any setbacks and appears rearing to rejoin the rotation for the stretch run in September. The 39-year-old two-time Cy Young winner continues to be one of the best starting pitchers in fantasy despite his age, as he's gone 16-3 with a league-leading 1.84 ERA (2.71 FIP), a league-leading 0.85 WHIP, 154 strikeouts and only 26 walks in 152 innings over 24 starts. Verlander will be a no-brainer must-start against Oakland if he does indeed make his return on Friday.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (calf) is with the team on their three-game series against the Detroit Tigers and is playing catch in right field at Comerica Park. Verlander is hoping to return from the 15-day injured list to make a start during this weekend's series against the Oakland Athletics. The 39-year-old right-hander threw his second bullpen session on Sunday, and he won't need a minor league rehab assignment before returning to the rotation. Verlander might not have a very long leash in his first start back, but it's hard to argue leaving him out of your fantasy lineups. The two-time Cy Young winner is 16-3 with a league-leading 1.84 ERA (2.71 FIP), a league-leading 0.85 WHIP, 154 strikeouts and only 26 walks in 152 innings over 24 starts this year.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (calf) threw a 30-pitch bullpen Friday, and pitching coach Josh Miller reported that "everything went well" during the session. Verlander has been progressing nicely after hurting his calf in a start two weeks ago and expects to return to the Astros rotation before the season is over. That being said, there is no concrete timeline and the team is likely to wait until they are sure Verlander is healthy, considering their current position in the standings. Still, Verlander can do a lot of good for fantasy managers in a small number of starts, so he should be kept around in hopes he returns soon.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (calf) is progressing nicely, perhaps even quicker than expected. He hasn't thrown off a pitching rubber yet, but he threw off the slope of the mound on Wednesday. Verlander is hoping to throw a light bullpen session in the next couple of days, but there's still no concrete timetable for his return to the starting rotation. The Astros will want the 39-year-old two-time Cy Young winner fully healthy for the playoffs, so they'll make sure not to rush him back to close out September. It sounds like he'll be ready to go sooner than later, but he's still running out of time to help fantasy managers. Verlander continues to be excellent for fantasy managers, posting a league-best ERA (1.84) and WHIP (0.85) while striking out 154 and walking 26 in 152 innings over 24 starts in 2022.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (calf) was seen throwing on flat ground on Monday. General manager James Click said on Sunday that Verlander isn't likely to return from the 15-day injured list when he's eligible on Sept. 13, but he shouldn't be out too far beyond that. The 39-year-old right-hander could be ready to go on a minor league rehab assignment sometime later this week. Houston will stick with a six-man rotation with Verlander sidelined, and pitching prospect Hunter Brown is scheduled to make his major league debut on Monday against the Texas Rangers. Verlander has been one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2022, going 16-3 with a pristine 1.84 ERA (2.71 FIP), a league-leading 0.85 WHIP and a 154:26 K:BB in 152 innings over 24 starts. Keep him stashed everywhere.

The Houston Astros placed starting pitcher Justin Verlander (calf) on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. The veteran has enjoyed a strong bounce-back season in 2022, both for the American League West club and for fantasy managers, pitching to a 1.84 ERA, a 2.72 FIP, 154 strikeouts, and 26 walks in 152 innings this season. Houston also optioned outfielder Jake Meyers to Triple-A while also recalling pitcher Brandon Bielak and first baseman J.J. Matijevic. The team also added pitching prospect Hunter Brown to their taxi squad.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (calf), who is the leading candidate for the American League Cy Young award this year, was pulled from his outing on Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles after only three innings (60 pitches) with right calf discomfort. Skipper Dusty Baker said Verlander would undergo an MRI exam on Monday to determine the extent of the injury, but Baker was relieved the injury wasn't to Verlander's arm or shoulder. The 39-year-old right-hander was tied for the league lead with 16 wins while also leading the majors in ERA (1.87) and opponents' OPS (.510) heading into Sunday's start. Houston has been careful with Verlander's workload in his comeback from Tommy John surgery, so expect them to bring him back slowly. If he's out for an extended period of time, the Astros could use a five-man rotation of Framber Valdez, Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia, Jose Urquidy and Cristian Javier.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (calf) was removed early during Sunday's start against the Baltimore Orioles. The veteran right-hander was removed due to right calf discomfort. It sounds like Verlander was removed as a precaution, so it doesn't sound like this is something that will sideline him. The 39-year-old has been fantastic this season, so hopefully this won't be something that slows him down. Fantasy managers will have to check back later in the day for more information.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander was outstanding once again in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Twins. Verlander pitched 6 no-hit innings, allowing no walks with 10 strikeouts. The veteran has looked like his old self this season, compiling a 16-3 record with a 1.87 ERA in 23 starts and 149 IP. His performance is keeping him in the race as a legitimate Cy Young candidate, and he could help fantasy managers make deep playoff runs. He will look to keep things rolling in his next start at the Rangers.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander turned in a pedestrian start by his standards in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the White Sox. Verlander went up against fellow Cy Young candidate Dylan Cease and pitched 7 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk with four strikeouts. The fact that this was a down start for the 39-year-old speaks to how well he has pitched this season, as he is now 15-3 with a 1.95 ERA, an 8.69 K/9 rate, and a 1.57 BB/9 rate over 22 starts and 143 IP. Fantasy managers who put their trust in Verlander have been well-rewarded this season. He will look to keep things going in his next start against the Twins at home.

Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander (12-3) allowed six hits while striking out 10 across six scoreless innings in Saturday's 5-0 win over the Oakland Athletics. He returned on Saturday after being away from the team since July 7 due to a family issue. The 39-year-old cruised through six scoreless innings to earn his 12th win of the season. He threw 106 pitches, firing 73 for strikes. The veteran right-hander is third in the majors in both ERA and WHIP. Verlander heads into the All-Star break with a 1.89 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 108 strikeouts across 109 1/3 innings in 2022.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander has enjoyed a terrific first 10 starts to the 2022 season after missing all of 2021 recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 39-year-old has returned with a 6-2 record, 2.23 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, seven quality starts, and 61 strikeouts across 64 2/3 innings. While the eight-time All-Star's velocity is strong at 94.8 MPH, he has seen regression in the strikeout department with an 8.5 k/9 rate - his lowest mark since 2015. The MLB Comeback Player of the Year favorite will look to take the mound early next week at home against the Seattle Mariners and continue his impressive return.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander was excellent yet again on Saturday night, tossing six-shutout frames as his club defeated the Rangers 2-1. The veteran struck out eight and allowed six hits (all singles) in the dominant 95-pitch showing, giving him his league-leading sixth win of the campaign. Verlander is looking in vintage form by also leading the majors with a 1.22 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with 49 K through 51 2/3 IP. Managers who took a shot on the 39-year-old are getting much more than their money's worth as he looks to keep his comeback season going versus the Mariners next week.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander has been one of baseball's best performers through the first five weeks of the season. In six games, Verlander has pitched to a 4-1 record with a 1.55 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and 36 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings. He has a five-game quality starts streak and has not allowed more than three runs in any start this year. With just six innings total in the 2020 and 2021 seasons combined, Verlander's value was somewhat depressed at draft time, but he should be leaping up rankings after his dominance to start the year.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander was dominant on Saturday night, tossing eight-shutout innings in the club's 4-0 win over the Mariners. The veteran didn't walk a batter and allowed just three hits which were all singles as he struck out eight in the 87-pitch performance. Verlander was sitting in the 94-95 MPH range with his fastball, throwing 64 of his pitches for strikes as he's now surrendered just one run through his first 13 innings of 2022. Managers who took a shot on the 39-year-old in the middle rounds of drafts are getting rewarded handsomely so far, but he'll face a tougher test in his next scheduled outing versus a formidable Blue Jays lineup.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander was sharp in his first game of the season on Saturday as he struck out seven Angels over five frames of work. The veteran righty allowed three hits and three walks and gave up just one run when Jared Walsh took him deep to lead off the second inning. He was saddled with a tough-luck loss since his offense couldn't help him out as his club fell 2-0, but it was encouraging nonetheless to see his fastball sit in the 95-96 MPH range all night. Early signs are indicating that Verlander's arm hasn't depreciated much, if not at all since his Tommy John Surgery as he will look to build on this 80-pitch effort next weekend with a road date against the Mariners.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said that starting pitcher Justin Verlander (elbow) will "probably not" be the team's Opening Day starter this year. Baker hinted that the decision is between Verlander and Framber Valdez, and Valdez is on schedule to pitch on April 7 on the road against the Los Angeles Angels. Verlander missed the entire 2021 season after having Tommy John surgery, and he's logged only 4 2/3 innings in Grapefruit League play this spring. The eight-time All-Star and two-time Cy Young winner continues to be solid when healthy despite his age (39 years old), but coming off a lost season, fantasy managers are being much more cautious with the veteran righty. RotoBaller currently has Verlander ranked as the No. 26 fantasy starter with Opening Day quickly approaching.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (elbow) says he still needs to get sharper as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. Verlander threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings in spring training on Wednesday and said he "felt good physically." The two-time Cy Young winner missed all of last year after having elbow reconstruction in 2020. Verlander threw 31 of his 51 pitches for strikes, struck out two and walked one in his outing Wednesday. The veteran right-hander was pleased with his velocity, but he wants to be sharper with his command. "It's just being able to execute it a little bit more consistently where I'm trying to throw it," Verlander said. The 39-year-old was an All-Star yet again in 2019, but coming off Tommy John at his age will have fantasy managers hesitant to draft him as a fantasy ace.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (elbow) made his first appearance in a game on Friday in spring training since the season-opener of the shortened 2020 season. The veteran right-hander looked sharp while throwing two hitless innings against the Cardinals. Verlander tossed 31 pitches and averaged 94.8 mph with his fastball. "It felt good to be back out there," Verlander said. "Body felt good, arm felt good. I think those are the most important boxes to check." The 39-year-old threw 18 of his 31 pitches for strikes and also mixed in his slider, changeup and curveball. Verlander's fantasy ADP will probably begin to fall if he proves that he's fully healthy during the course of this year's shortened camp.

Right-hander Justin Verlander's $50 million, two-year deal with the Houston Astros never was announced and presumably is not official. That means that Verlander and the Astros have to wait to finalize their new deal until a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is done. The league is officially in a lockout as of Thursday, meaning that no transactions will be permitted. It's odd that Verlander's deal wasn't officially inked after the two sides agreed two weeks ago, but there's no reason to suspect that it won't be finalized once a new CBA is agreed on. Verlander pitched in just six innings in 2020 before needing Tommy John surgery and missing all of the 2021 campaign. But back in 2019 when he was healthy, he had 300 strikeouts and a 2.58 ERA to win the American League Cy Young.