Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday, and if all goes well, he will return to the team's starting rotation this weekend to face the Washington Nationals in his 2024 debut, according to manager Joe Espada. Verlander said he feels ready despite giving up five earned runs on seven hits while walking a batter in four innings (77 pitches) in a minor-league rehab start for Double-A Corpus Christi on Saturday. The Astros could really use the 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner back in their banged-up rotation, and a start this weekend against the Nats would be a plus matchup for fantasy managers in Verlander's first start of the year. Don't expect ace-like numbers from Verlander at his age, but he still has the potential to be a strong No. 3 if he can stay healthy.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is quickly approaching his season debut. Verlander was unable to throw at all during Spring Training but has made minor league rehab appearances over the past week and is just about complete with his recovery process. Manager Joe Espada expressed that the three-time Cy Young Award winner could make his season debut on Friday as the Astros will take on the Washington Nationals. The Astros are in need of a spark due to their early season struggles. The future Hall-Of-Famer will slot right into the rotation when cleared.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is scheduled to make his next minor league rehab start on Saturday at Double-A Corpus Christi. The 41-year-old appears to be progressing well and could return after this outing. Obviously, the Astros don't want to rush back Verlander, but they need help in the rotation. Fantasy managers will have to check back after Saturday to see how Verlander is feeling. He'll be a must-have fantasy option once he's back on the mound.

The Houston Astros are still committed to Justin Verlander (shoulder) making another minor-league rehab start this weekend, manager Joe Espada said following Thursday's 13-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Even though Framber Valdez (elbow) is on the injured list and Hunter Brown couldn't make it through the first inning on Thursday, there's still no thought of inserting Verlander back into an Astros rotation that really needs length. The club is taking the cautious route with the 41-year-old star right-hander, who is working his way back from right shoulder inflammation. Barring any setbacks, Verlander should be available to Houston's rotation in late April after collecting a 3.31 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 63:14 K:BB over 68 innings with the Stros last season. Ronel Blanco has filled in admirably with 15 one-hit innings thus far, but he faces a tough test against the defending-champion Texas Rangers during the Lone Star Series on Saturday.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is scheduled to make another rehab start over the weekend. It doesn't sound like the organization has decided on which day Verlander will start. He threw 65 pitches during a rehab start with Triple-A Sugarland on Sunday. It wasn't great results for the veteran right-hander but the main focus is getting him healthy. It sounds like the organization plans to have Verlander throw a bullpen session on Wednesday as well. The hope is that Verlander can get back in the Astros rotation by the end of April.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) threw 65 pitches for Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday in what was his first in-game appearance of the season. Verlander struggled, allowing six runs on seven hits in three-plus innings, but that isn't what is important here as he is still building up after experiencing right shoulder issues during spring training. The Astros were optimistic that Verlander would only need to make two rehab starts, and him getting to 65 pitches in this one is a positive sign. He will likely make another start later this week and could join Houston's rotation shortly after that.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) is scheduled to start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, according to manager Joe Espada. Verlander will throw a bullpen session on Thursday at Minute Maid Park before going on his minor-league rehab assignment. The Astros are optimistic that Verlander will only need two starts at Sugar Land before rejoining Houston's starting rotation. The future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young winner didn't pitch at all during spring training due to right-shoulder issues, but he hasn't had any setbacks while building his arm up and could make his 2024 debut for Houston in late April. Verlander shouldn't be viewed as a fantasy ace anymore, but it doesn't mean he still can't be productive as a No. 3 or 4 starter if he stays healthy.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session in Houston on Thursday and will then pitch in a minor-league rehab game a few days after that. Verlander threw a three-inning, 52-pitch simulated game on Monday and came away without any setbacks to his right shoulder. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner didn't pitch at all in spring training and will now build up his arm in minor-league games before potentially making his 2024 debut for the Astros before the end of April. But because he didn't pitch in any Grapefruit League games this spring, don't be surprised if Verlander needs two or three rehab games before being activated from the injured list.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) threw a three-inning, 52-pitch live batting practice session on Monday. He said that ramping up to full velocity after an inning break was his focus again. Asked if he expects to go on a minor-league rehab assignment next, Verlander said, "I think so." Verlander was forced to start the year on the injured list due to shoulder issues he experienced in the offseason, but he's ramping up now and getting closer to making his 2024 season debut. Still, the 41-year-old is probably going to need at least several minor-league rehab starts, which means we won't see him back in Houston's starting rotation until late April or early May. The future Hall of Famer is no longer a fantasy ace, but he can still contribute in mixed leagues when he's healthy.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder), who started the season on the 15-day injured list, inched closer to going out on a minor-league rehab assignment when he threw a bullpen session before Friday's game versus the New York Yankees. On March 5, the Astros decided to have Verlander begin the season on the IL because there wasn't enough time to get him fully ready before Opening Day. Although he showed up to camp a couple of weeks behind schedule due to right shoulder inflammation, the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer's absence isn't likely to extend very deep into the regular season. If all goes well in his recovery, Verlander should be able to return to Houston's rotation by the end of April. Until the veteran right-hander is ready to make his 2024 debut, Ronel Blanco will occupy a rotation spot and carry short-term fantasy streaming appeal in favorable matchups.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) threw two simulated innings (32 pitches) during his live batting practice session on Tuesday and sat at 92-94 mph and touched 95 mph on the stadium radar gun in his first inning at Minute Maid Park. Manager Joe Espada said on Monday that if all goes well with Verlander's session on Tuesday, his next step will be starting a minor-league rehab assignment. The 41-year-old veteran said he felt good on Tuesday and wants to build up his pitch count to 85 before making his 2024 debut for the Astros. Houston isn't going to rush the process, so fantasy managers that have Verlander stashed for rotation depth this year shouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make his season debut until May.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) will throw a two-inning live batting practice session on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. If that session goes well, Verlander could start a rehab assignment after that, according to manager Joe Espada. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner wasn't able to pitch at all in spring training due to shoulder issues that lingered this offseason. Verlander is going to begin the regular season on the injured list, and the Astros aren't going to rush the future Hall of Famer back, so we should expect him to make at least several rehab starts in the minor leagues. There's a good chance that Verlander won't make his 2024 debut until May. Verlander can still be effective when healthy, but he's no longer a fantasy ace.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) faced hitters in camp on Wednesday in a live batting practice session. Verlander looked good while throwing 20 pitches, according to manager Joe Espada. However, Verlander will not pitch in a Grapefruit League game or in the two exhibition contests at Minute Maid Park next week before Opening Day next week, which means he will need a full minor-league rehab assignment. The Astros aren't going to push the 41-year-old veteran as he continues to progress from a right-shoulder issue this spring. The nine-time All-Star appears to be making good progress, but he's going to start the season on the injured list, and it won't be a surprise if he doesn't make his 2024 debut until May.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) should face hitters "in the next day or two" in camp. Verlander came into spring training with right-shoulder issues, but he threw another bullpen session on Sunday and is ramping up with the start of the 2024 regular season right around the corner. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young winner is going to start the year on the injured list and might not make his 2024 debut until late April or early May. He became the first pitcher age 40 or older to win 12 games and post an ERA below 3.25 since 2013, so Verlander can clearly still be effective despite his age. However, injuries are a big concern, and his fantasy value has obviously dropped considerably in 2024 now that he could miss the first month of the season.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is close to progressing to facing hitters again. Astros manager Joe Espada recently said that Verlander is slated to throw another bullpen session on Thursday. The team will wait and see how Verlander feels after that before deciding on when he'll face hitters again. The 41-year-old will open the season on the injured list, but it doesn't sound like Verlander is going to miss an extended period of time.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) will start the 2024 regular season on the injured list, manager Joe Espada confirmed on Tuesday. Verlander's right shoulder didn't respond the way he'd hoped this offseason, which caused him to come to spring training behind all the other starting pitchers. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner has been throwing bullpen sessions in camp but has yet to be cleared to face live hitters. It doesn't appear to be a serious issue, but the Astros aren't going to rush an aging pitcher who has had injury issues in recent seasons. There's no guarantee that Verlander will be ready to go when he's eligible to come off the injured list on April 11. The future Hall of Famer is no longer a fantasy ace and comes with plenty of injury risk as a No. 3 or 4 starter for fantasy managers.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) threw around 60 pitches during his bullpen session on Sunday morning. Verlander worked out of both the stretch and from the windup and appeared to throw some breaking pitches. The Astros are expected to determine if he's ready to face hitters next in camp. The 41-year-old's shoulder didn't respond the way he would have hoped this offseason, so he entered spring training behind the team's other pitchers. Even if Verlander moves to live batting practice sessions next, there's no guarantee he won't open the 2024 regular season on the injured list as a precaution. The future Hall of Famer was still productive for fantasy managers last year, but injuries aren't going to go away, making him more of a No. 3 starter than a fantasy ace now days.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session in camp on Sunday, and the Astros will determine Verlander's next step after that. The next step in his progression will be to get cleared to face live hitters, but the Astros aren't going to rush the 41-year-old, especially given all of his injuries in recent seasons. The future Hall of Famer had a late start to the 2023 campaign due to an injury but ended up finishing 13-8 with a 3.22 ERA (3.85 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with 45 walks and 144 strikeouts in 162 1/3 innings over 27 starts. Houston isn't ruling out Verlander for Opening Day, but it's more likely than not that he'll open the year on the injured list as a precaution. Verlander can still be useful as a No. 3 or 4 starter for fantasy managers, but he's become a pretty big injury risk at the tail end of his career.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) felt good after his bullpen session on Tuesday, but manager Joe Espada said that the future Hall of Famer is not ready to face hitters yet. However, Espada still isn't ruling Verlander out for Opening Day, but he acknowledged "obviously we're kind of running out of days here." The 41-year-old veteran had a setback with his shoulder this offseason and came to spring training behind the other pitchers. Given Verlander's age and recent injury history, it makes sense for the Astros to slow-play him and give him extra time before throwing him out there, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to be in the team's Opening Day rotation. Verlander still has the potential to be useful in fantasy despite his age, but he's a big injury risk and is no longer a fantasy ace.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session on Tuesday with more intensity to move him forward in his rehab, according to manager Joe Espada. Verlander came into spring training behind the team's other pitchers after his right shoulder didn't bounce back properly in the offseason, but he's been throwing low-intensity bullpen sessions in camp, consisting of only fastballs. The Astros haven't ruled the 41-year-old out for the start of the regular season, but it seems more likely than not that he'll open the year on the injured list. Even if Verlander is ready for Opening Day at the end of March, fantasy managers should expect the future Hall of Famer to miss some time at some point in 2024 due to injury. He's a poor bet to stay healthy all year at his age and is no longer the fantasy ace that he once was.