Justin Verlander
YEARTEAMGGSCGSHOWLSIPHitsERSOBBHRERA
2007Mundys28288212120198.117086101139233.90
2008Mundys32321631890245.120210274217283.74
2009Mundys662223032.03617112634.78
2010Mundys323224421100274.12049173264292.99
2011Mundys313115316130226.11717476209222.94
2012Mundys33332752480286.21637891310262.45
2013Mundys32322722190280.21709069312262.89
2014Mundys353511213150240.118710580229193.93
2015Mundys3131951380206.11806781148232.92
2016Mundys202051780137.11215331126163.47
2017Wonder Dogs343417114140259.122810156297273.51
2018Braves33331809220247.1230139107261195.06
2019Firehouse343432322120311.11668599356392.46
2020Firehouse34342832290295.016410688347443.23
2021Moose00000000.0000000.00
2022Vigilantes00000000.0000000.00
2023Vigilantes28282381950252.0122457223851.61
2024Old Geezers27271331180210.11377266191263.08
2025Crushers00000000.0000000.00
MLB Player Data
DateNewsComment
Jun 29 2025Verlander didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the White Sox, allowing one run on five hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out three. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander notched his fifth quality start of the campaign, snapping a streak of three straight starts without pitching into the sixth frame. The only damage against Verlander came in the first inning, when Andrew Benintendi plated Mike Tauchman on a sacrifice fly. The 42-year-old righty owns a decent 4.26 ERA to pair with a 55:25 K:BB over 67.2 innings this season. However, he's the only pitcher in baseball with at least 10 starts who doesn't have a win.
Jun 24 2025Verlander (0-5) allowed three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings to take the loss versus the Marlins on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was reinstated from the paternity list Monday after welcoming his second child into the world. He's now allowed seven runs (six earned) over 9.2 innings since returning from a pectoral injury that cost him a month. Verlander is at a 4.52 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 52:23 K:BB across 61.2 innings over 12 starts this season, and he's still searching for his first win as a Giant. The 42-year-old right-hander is projected to make his next start in another favorable matchup this weekend on the road versus the White Sox.
Jun 23 2025The Giants reinstated Verlander (personal) from the paternity list Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was away from the team for the entire weekend while he observed the birth of his second child. He didn't miss a start while he was on paternity leave and will return to the mound for the Giants' series opener versus the Marlins on Tuesday.
Jun 20 2025The Giants placed Verlander on the paternity list Friday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander will be away from the team temporarily for personal reasons, but he should be back to make his regularly scheduled turn in the rotation that's set for Tuesday against Miami. Brett Wisely was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move.
Jun 19 2025Verlander (0-4) took the loss against Cleveland on Wednesday, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out six batters over 4.2 innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was activated Wednesday after spending nearly a month on the IL due to a pectoral injury. The veteran's return outing was a bit of a mixed bag; he notched a healthy 12 whiffs and six punchouts over 4.2 frames but was also touched up for seven hits, the most harmful of which was a three-run homer by Daniel Schneemann in the fourth inning. Verlander came close to a full workload with 83 pitches (56 of which were strikes), so the most positive takeaway from this outing is that the pec issue appears to be in the rearview mirror. After 11 starts, Verlander is still searching for his first win as a Giant, and his next opportunity for that is projected to be a favorable home matchup against Miami.
Jun 18 2025The Giants activated Verlander (pectoral) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start against the Guardians on Wednesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has been cleared to return to the Giants' rotation after a near four-week stint on the IL due to a right pectoral strain. He was able to skip a rehab assignment and could face some workload limitations in his first start since May 18 against the Athletics. Verlander went 0-2 in his six starts prior to landing on the IL, registering a 2.97 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 24:12 K:BB across 33.1 innings over that span.
Jun 16 2025Verlander (pectoral) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Guardians, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander completed a 65-pitch simulated game last Wednesday and a bullpen session Saturday, clearing the way for his return to the Giants rotation. He will be skipping a rehab assignment and will likely be looking at a maximum of around 80 pitches Wednesday versus Cleveland. Verlander has posted a 4.33 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 41:21 K:BB across 52 innings this season and is still looking for his first win.
Jun 14 2025Verlander (pectoral) completed a bullpen session Saturday and is expected to return during the Giants' upcoming homestand,Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander completed a 65-pitch sim game Wednesday in what appeared to be his final test before activation. Saturday's activity may have been one final confirmation that he's ready to retake the mound, which he appears likely to do within the next week.
Jun 12 2025Verlander (pectoral) threw 65 pitches in a simulated game at Coors Field on Wednesday and could rejoin the Giants during their series against the Guardians which begins Tuesday, per MLB.com. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is seemingly nearing a return to game action after being placed on the 15-day injured list May 22 due to a right pec strain. The veteran right-hander has thrown two simulated games, the first which came last Friday, during which he threw 35-40 pitches at Oracle Park. Before landing on the shelf, Verlander posted a 4.33 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 41:21 K:BB across 52 innings this season, going 0-3 across 10 starts.
Jun 9 2025Verlander (pectoral) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Wednesday in Colorado, MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: On Friday, Verlander threw 35-to-40 pitches in a sim game at Oracle Park, and he'll presumably build on that workload while he faces hitters again Wednesday. If Verlander checks out fine physically following the upcoming sim game, he could be cleared to return from the 15-day injured list next week. Before landing on the shelf May 22 due to a right pec strain, Verlander went 0-3 with a 4.33 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 41:21 K:BB over 52 innings with the Giants.
Jun 7 2025Verlander (pectoral) threw 35-40 pitches in a simulated game at Oracle Park on Friday and will be re-evaluated Saturday, according to MLB.com. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list May 22 due to a right pec strain. The veteran right-hander went through two simulated innings Friday, facing batters for the first time since suffering the injury. The Giants will evaluate how the 42-year-old responds Saturday before determining his next steps. Verlander has posted a 4.33 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 41:21 K:BB across 52 innings this season, going 0-3 across 10 starts.
Jun 2 2025Verlander (pectoral) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is continuing to work back from a right pectoral strain, and he's set to throw another bullpen after tossing a 40-pitch side session May 27. If the right-hander is able to make it through the bullpen without any issues, he'll be set to face batters later in the week, per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, and the club could then consider activating him at some point over the weekend.
May 31 2025Manager Bob Melvin said Saturday that Verlander (pectoral) isn't expected to make his next start, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Melvin added that Verlander hasn't experienced a setback in his recovery from a right pectoral strain, but the ball simply hasn't been coming out of his hand the way he'd like. The 42-year-old righty will now presumably look to return to the mound next weekend, which will give Kyle Harrison enought time to make at least one more start with the Giants.
May 27 2025Verlander (pectoral) threw around 40 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander said he is "trending forward," and there are a couple more boxes to check before he can determine if he'll be ready to rejoin the rotation sometime next week. He had an uncharacteristic 9:8 K:BB in 15 innings over his three most recent starts before landing on the IL.
May 25 2025Giants manager Bob Melvin said Verlander (pectoral) is on track to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander landed on the injured list Thursday after being diagnosed with a right pectoral strain, but he appears to have a chance at returning to action once the minimum 15 days are up. Melvin confirmed that Verlander resumed playing catch Saturday, and with the right-hander responding well to the workout, he's already been cleared to advance to the next phase of his recovery program. Verlander will likely complete one or two bullpen sessions before getting the green light to face hitters.
May 22 2025The Giants placed Verlander on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a right pectoral strain, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager Bob Melvin revealed Wednesday that Verlander was bound for the IL and that transaction is now official. The veteran hurler began experiencing pectoral soreness prior to his last start over the weekend against the Athletics and was unable to make enough progress in between outings to avoid the IL. Verlander will be eligible for activation June 3, but it's too soon to know whether he will be ready to go on that date.
May 21 2025Manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Verlander will be placed on the 15-day injured list due to right pectoral soreness, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was dealing with the issue during his last start against the Athletics on Sunday. There was optimism that he would be able to make his next turn through the rotation this weekend in Washington, but the veteran right-hander will instead go on the IL and miss at least two starts. The Giants could call up a starter from Triple-A to replace Verlander or shift Jordan Hicks from the bullpen back into the rotation.
May 19 2025Giants manager Bob Melvin said Monday that Verlander is dealing with a slight pectoral issue, but he is optimistic the pitcher will make his next scheduled start Saturday versus the Nationals, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander revealed after displaying reduced velocity in Sunday's start against the Athletics that he was affected by a physical issue, and now Melvin has offered more specifics on the nature of the injury. The 42-year-old hurler will presumably need to get through a between-starts throwing session before being cleared for Saturday, but at the moment the Giants don't expect Verlander to miss his next turn.
May 18 2025Verlander allowed two runs on three hits and five walks while striking out one over four innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's control issues cropped up again Sunday, as he threw just 41 of 84 pitches for strikes. He was able to mostly limit the damage despite his inefficiency, though he left in line for the loss after giving up a two-run single to Lawrence Butler in the fourth inning. The Giants' two-run eighth inning spared Verlander from another loss. This was just the second time he's failed to complete five innings this year, but he's doing little more than eating innings. He's at a 4.33 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 41:21 K:BB through 52 innings over 10 starts so far. He's lined up for a favorable road matchup versus the Nationals in his next outing.
May 12 2025Verlander (0-3) allowed two runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings to take the loss Monday versus the Diamondbacks. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's performance has stabilized after a rough first few turns through the rotation. This was his fourth quality start in his last five outings, though he ended up with the loss anyway after allowing a pair of solo home runs to Corbin Carroll in the low-scoring game. Verlander's ERA is down to 4.31, but he still has a 1.35 WHIP and 40:16 K:BB over 48 innings through nine starts this season. He hasn't had a BB/9 over 3.0 in a full season since 2017, but it's right at that mark so far in 2025. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Athletics.
May 6 2025Verlander didn't factor into the decision against the Cubs on Tuesday. He allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander entered Tuesday's game having logged three-straight quality starts, but he wasn't able to extend that streak to four after being lifted before the start of the sixth inning. He generated nine whiffs on 82 pitches (52 strikes), and the two-run home run he gave up to Miguel Amaya in the third frame was Verlander's sixth of the season, which is tied for 10th most in the National League. Through eight starts this season, Verlander has a 4.50 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 35:15 K:BB across 42 innings. He's slated to face the Diamondbacks at home next week.
May 1 2025Verlander didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Rockies after allowing two runs on five hits and one walk in 6.1 innings. He struck out four. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It was the longest start of the year by Verlander, who also generated a respectable 11 whiffs Thursday. However, the veteran right-hander did surrender a home run, a seventh-inning leadoff solo shot by Ryan McMahon, for the fifth time in seven outings in 2025. Verlander now has a 4.38 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 32:13 K:BB over 37 innings ahead of a daunting task on the road next week against the Cubs, who lead the major leagues in run scored (192) as a club.
Apr 20 2025Verlander allowed one run on two hits and two walks in six innings Sunday in a no decision against the Angels. He struck out six. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's lone run allowed came on a fifth-inning solo blast by Zach Neto to knot the game at one. Verlander exited in line for the win after tossing 98 pitches but was left hanging after the Angels put up three runs in the ninth to walk it off. The 42-year-old put together a much-needed quality start after being tagged for 13 runs (12 earned) in his previous 13.2 innings. Verlander will be in search of his first win this season in a home start versus the Rangers over the weekend.
Apr 15 2025Verlander (0-1) took the loss Tuesday against Philadelphia. He allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over 5.2 innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander put the Giants behind when he gave up two runs in the second inning, including a solo shot by J.T. Realmuto. Verlander recovered to toss three scoreless frames, but he was tagged for two more runs in the sixth inning and wasn't able to complete the frame. While he's generated a 32.6 percent whiff rate, Verlander has yet to make it out of the sixth inning in any of his four starts in 2025. He has a 6.75 ERA and 1.77 WHIP across 18.2 innings to begin the season, and he'll look to get back on track in his next start, tentatively slated for this weekend on the road against the Angels.
Apr 9 2025Verlander didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Reds after allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out nine. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran right-hander did tally his most strikeouts in a start since May of last season, but he ran into trouble after tossing two scoreless frames to open the game. A TJ Friedl double plated one run, an Elly De La Cruz double brought in two more and a Gavin Lux two-run single completed a five-run third inning for the Reds. Due to a Willy Adames fielding error earlier in the frame, an unearned run was charged to Verlander after the righty was pulled in the sixth. With a scheduled matchup in Philadelphia on tap for early next week, Verlander will be tough to trust from a fantasy perspective for that game.
Apr 4 2025Verlander allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.1 innings, taking a no-decision in Friday's extra-innings win over the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Both teams dipped into their bullpens early, and the Giants had to because Verlander wasn't pitching well early on. He threw 44 of 65 pitches for strikes but gave up a solo home run to Julio Rodriguez in the first inning and got in more trouble in the third. The veteran right-hander's first year with the Giants is off to a mediocre beginning -- he's allowed five runs, 11 hits and three walks while striking out seven over 7.1 innings across two starts. He's tentatively scheduled for a home start versus the Reds next week.
Mar 29 2025Verlander did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Reds, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts over five innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander induced 10 swinging strikes on 83 pitches before departing in a 2-2 tie. The 42-year-old looked healthy after an encouraging spring, where he posted a 3.43 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 21 innings. He lines up to make his Giants home debut next weekend against the Mariners.
Feb 24 2025Verlander gave up one run (on a home run) over two innings with a strikeout and walk in his San Francisco spring debut Monday. "Overall, I'm healthy," Verlander told MLB.com. "I thought the velo was OK for the first start of the spring. Better than what I was doing last year, so that's a big improvement. Overall, I was pleased." ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander battled shoulder and neck injuries in 2024, the latter of which he's hinted at returning too soon from and could have played a factor in him finishing the year with a 5.48 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 90.1 innings. It's a good sign he's fully healthy as spring training begins. However, at age 42 this season it's not a given he'll return to anything close to his pre-2024 form.
Jan 13 2025Verlander said Monday that he began throwing much earlier than usual this offseason and is already touching 92 mph, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander averaged 93.5 mph with his four-seamer in 2024, but at this stage of the offseason the hurler is viewing 92 mph as an encouraging sign. The righty also said he's addressed the shoulder and back issues that limited him to just 90.1 innings this past season, although it's not clear exactly what that entails. Verlander inked a one-year, $15 million contract with the Giants last week and will be looking to bounce back in 2025 in what will be his age-42 season.
Jan 7 2025Verlander signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Giants on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander battled shoulder and neck injuries in 2024, the latter of which he's hinted at returning too soon from and could have played a factor in him finishing the year with a 5.48 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 90.1 innings -- easily the worst line of his illustrious career. Set to turn 42 in February, he's unlikely to approach numbers similar to his 2022 AL Cy Young campaign, though a full offseason of recovery could enable the veteran righty to return to form as a quality starter in 2025.
Oct 3 2024Verlander said Wednesday that he plans to continue his major-league career in 2025, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander -- who will turn 42 in February -- battled through a disappointing 2024 season, finishing with a 5.48 ERA and 74:27 K:BB over 90.1 innings covering 17 starts before being left off the Astros wild-card roster. He began the year on the injured list with a shoulder problem and also missed substantial time with a neck issue, an injury which he has indicated he might have come back too soon from and could have affected his performance. Given his age and the season he just had, Verlander will enter free agency with question marks, but he shouldn't have trouble finding a team willing to take a shot on a bounce-back showing in 2025.
Oct 1 2024Verlander is not on the Astros' roster for the American League Wild Card Series versus the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's absence from the roster, while perhaps jarring, is not a surprise, as he wasn't going to make a start in the series and was unlikely to be carried as a reliever. Whether he's on the ALDS roster, should the Astros advance, is a bigger question. Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti will be available in relief for Houston in the wild-card series.
Sep 28 2024Verlander (5-6) picked up the win Saturday against the Guardians, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out five over six innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander completed six innings for the first time since May, as he tossed just his sixth quality start of the season. Verlander will have to wait and see if he did enough against the Guardians to make the Astros postseason roster. The 41-year-old has been a shell of his former self as of late, as he entered Saturday's start with a 10.90 ERA in 17.1 innings in September.
Sep 21 2024Verlander came away with a no-decision in Friday's 9-7 win over the Angels, surrendering six runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out four. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 41-year-old righty was staked to a 6-1 lead after three innings, but Verlander couldn't stick around long enough to qualify for the win, as he got the hook after 86 pitches (60 strikes). Verlander hasn't lasted more than five innings in any of his six starts since coming off the IL in late August, and his 8.89 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB through 27.1 innings over that stretch makes it uncertain if he even has enough left in the tank to be part of Houston's postseason rotation. Verlander is scheduled to make one more regular-season start, on the road next weekend in Cleveland.
Sep 15 2024Verlander (4-6) picked up the win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over five innings while striking out two. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander actually got off to a rough start, allowing back-to-back walks and an RBI single to open the bottom of the first. However, he would then go on to retire 15 of the next 18 batters he faced before leaving the contest, allowing one more run on an Eric Wagaman double over that stretch. It marked the first win for the veteran right-hander since May 24 against Oakland, and it was only the second time in his last seven starts that he allowed fewer than four runs. Following the win, Verlander still carries a 10.66 ERA over three September outings to go along with an ugly 5:7 K:BB.
Sep 9 2024Verlander (3-5) took the loss Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing eight runs on eight hits and a walk over three innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Seven of the runs Verlander let up came off the bat of Pavin Smith, who took Verlander deep in the second for three runs and then again in the third for a grand slam. The Astros have now lost five straight starts by Justin Verlander. Over his last three starts, he's allowed 17 runs over 12.2 innings while managing a 6:6 K:BB. He isn't missing many bats as of late, and that was the case again Sunday. He registered just two whiffs on his fastball and none with any of his secondary pitches. The 41-year-old now owns a 5.30 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 63:24 K:BB in 74.2 innings and will look to try and bounce back against the Angels over the weekend.
Sep 2 2024Verlander (3-5) took the loss Monday against the Reds, allowing five runs on eight hits and four walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out three. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander had a rough day at the office Monday against the Reds. He walked the first three batters he faced in the bottom of the first inning, making it the first time in 522 career appearances that he has walked the three batters he's faced in a game. Verlander has hit a wall recently, allowing four or more runs in four of his last five starts and picking up three straight losses in the process. The 41-year-old's current streak of five straight starts of five innings or fewer pitched is the longest of his career.
Aug 27 2024Verlander (3-4) took the loss against the Phillies on Tuesday, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk with three strikeouts over five innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander tossed four separate scoreless innings but endured a four-run third that included a three-run homer by Nick Castellanos. While he didn't have his best stuff, the veteran completed five frames for the second straight outing since returning from the injured list Wednesday and increased his workload to 90 pitches. On the season, Verlander owns a 4.16 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 60:19 K:BB across 67 innings and lines up for a road matchup with the Reds early next week.
Aug 21 2024Verlander (3-3) took the loss Wednesday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out six. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander looked a little rusty early in his first start since June 9, allowing a run in each of the first two innings. However, the 41-year-old Verlander would rebound to blank the Red Sox over his final three frames, retiring 10 straight batters to finish his outing before departing after throwing 76 pitches. Verlander now sports a 3.92 ERA across 62 innings this year with a 1.19 WHIP and 57:18 K:BB. He's currently in line for a tough road matchup with the Phillies in his next start early next week.
Aug 18 2024Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Verlander (neck) is tentatively scheduled to return for Wednesday's game against Boston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander tossed 57 pitches over four innings in his last rehab outing Thursday, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out five. The 41-year-old right-hander has not pitched since June 9 due to a neck injury, but he appears to be near full health and is set to rejoin the Astros' rotation. Across 10 starts with Houston this season, Verlander is 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB across 57 frames.
Aug 15 2024Verlander (neck) threw 57 pitches and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out five over four innings during his rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has now pitched seven innings across his last two rehab appearances, allowing two earned runs in the process. His pitch count increased slightly from 52 pitches from his first rehab outing on Aug. 10 to 57 in Thursday's game. The 41-year-old right-hander will be re-evaluated Friday, and if all checks out, he could make his return during Houston's series next week against Boston.
Aug 13 2024Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday on SportsTalk 790 that Verlander (neck) will make his second rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander fared well in his first rehab outing with Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, throwing 52 pitches and yielding one run with three strikeouts over three innings. He'll ramp up the pitch count Thursday in what should be his final rehab start before rejoining the Astros' rotation next week. Verlander has been shelved since mid-June with neck problems.
Aug 11 2024Verlander (neck) threw 52 pitches and allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three over three innings during his rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran right-hander will be re-evaluated Sunday but is soon expected to be cleared for a second rehab outing. If all goes well during his next rehab start, Verlander could be activated from the 15-day injured list and make his return to Houston's rotation as early as Aug. 20 versus the Red Sox.
Aug 8 2024Verlander (neck) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After getting through Wednesday's bullpen session without any issues, Verlander has now been given the go-ahead to pitch in a game setting. He threw 37 pitches over two innings during a simulated game Sunday, though he has been able to surpass the 50-pitch mark during bullpen sessions. It's unclear how long the Astros plan on keeping the 41-year-old righty in the minors, but he figures to be in line for at least one more rehab outing after Saturday.
Aug 6 2024Verlander (neck) will likely begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land over the weekend, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander will first need to get through a bullpen session Wednesday, but he'll be cleared to head to the minors if everything goes smoothly. The veteran righty built up to 37 pitches during his simulated game Sunday and will likely require multiple Triple-A outings before returning to Houston's rotation.
Aug 4 2024Verlander (neck) threw 37 pitches in a two-inning simulated game Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander said that he felt good during the sim game and sported a fastball that peaked at 94 miles per hour. The right-hander expects to require two minor-league rehab starts before making his return from the 15-day injured list, so he probably won't be a realistic option for the Houston rotation until the second half of August. The Astros plan to expand their rotation to six men once Verlander comes off the IL, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
Aug 2 2024Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (neck) will throw a bullpen session in the next few days before heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment, MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Espada said Verlander faced hitters for "between 27 and 30 pitches" Tuesday in Houston, with the right-hander's fastball velocity peaking around 94 miles per hour. Verlander looks poised to throw again Friday or Saturday, and if all goes well, he'll likely report to an affiliate shortly thereafter. The 41-year-old has been on the injured list since June 18 with neck stiffness, but he may need just one start in the minors before Houston is comfortable reinserting him into its rotation.
Jul 30 2024Verlander (neck) will throw from the main mound at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager Joe Espada said that Verlander will face hitters to simulate game action, but the hitters have been instructed not to swing. It is not clear how many pitches Verlander will throw, though he threw over 50 in his last bullpen session Saturday.
Jul 27 2024Verlander (neck) threw more than 50 pitches in his bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The exact number of pitches wasn't reported, but this was a step forward from his last session July 20 when he threw 40 pitches. It's expected that Verlander will return from the injured list in the upcoming week, though the team's exact plans are unclear.
Jul 26 2024Verlander (neck) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It will be Verlander's third time on a mound as he recovers from a neck issue, with his first coming just before the All-Star break. The 41-year-old was stretched out to 40 pitches in his last bullpen and could be one or two more sessions away from the next stage in his recovery, whether that's a rehab assignment or an immediate return to the Houston rotation.
Jul 20 2024Verlander threw 40 pitches during a bullpen session Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is recovering from a neck injury that has sidelined him since June 18, but he's thrown a pair of bullpen sessions in the last week and was stretched out to 40 pitches Saturday. At this point, it's unclear if the 41-year-old will require a minor-league rehab stint, and he shouldn't be expected back until the end of July or early August.
Jul 14 2024Verlander (neck) threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander used his entire arsenal in the session and finished the bullpen without incident, per McTaggart. He had originally been expected to toss 10-to-15 pitches, so all signs are that he's trending in a positive direction. A timeframe for Verlander's return isn't yet clear, but it is possible that he could rejoin Houston's rotation before the end of July.
Jul 13 2024Verlander (neck) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Sunday will mark the first time Verlander has thrown off a mound since a neck injury forced him to the IL on June 18. He's only expected to reach 10-to-15 pitches during his session, but it's still a sign that the veteran right-hander is trending in the right direction. He remains without a firm timetable for his return, though he will likely need some time to build back up to a starter's workload.
Jul 9 2024Verlander (neck) said Tuesday that he's increased the frequency of his flat-ground throwing, but there remains no timetable for when he will throw off a mound, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: While Verlander is feeling better, the progress from his neck injury continues to be slow. He has already been ruled out through the All-Star break, and it would seem at this point that he's unlikely to be ready at the start of the second half.
Jul 4 2024Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Verlander (neck) will not return prior to the All-Star break, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has resumed playing catch and appears to be making some progress as he works his way back from neck soreness. However, it's been about three weeks since he's thrown off a mound, and he'll surely need at least one rehab start before returning. The 41-year-old should be back before the end of July if he can avoid setbacks.
Jun 30 2024Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Verlander (neck) resumed playing catch from 60 feet Sunday and "felt good," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 41-year-old's return to throwing is an encouraging development after he was shut down for a bit while recovering from neck soreness. Given the shutdown period, Verlander shouldn't be expected to return from the injured list when first eligible this week.
Jun 26 2024Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (neck) hasn't resumed playing catch and won't accompany the team to New York for this weekend's three-game series versus the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander isn't eligible to return from the 15-day injured list until Monday, but with the Astros continuing their trip in Toronto and then Minnesota next week, the right-hander's absence for the start of the road swing wouldn't seem to inspire much optimism about his chances of being ready to make a start against the Blue Jays, and perhaps even the Twins. The Astros will likely wait and see if Verlander is able to take any meaningful steps forward in his recovery from the neck issue over the next few days while he's back in Houston before determining his status for the Toronto series.
Jun 25 2024Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Verlander (neck) has yet to resume throwing, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has been shut down for more than a week with neck discomfort and continues to progress more slowly than expected. The veteran right-hander is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list Monday, but it's too early at this point to know whether he will be ready to go on that day. Houston currently has just four members in its rotation, but it will need to add a fifth if Verlander's injury continues to linger.
Jun 18 2024The Astros placed Verlander on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Sunday, due to neck discomfort. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager Joe Espada said earlier Tuesday that the veteran right-hander was progressing slower than expected from the neck discomfort that scratched him from Saturday's scheduled start, and he'll be sidelined for at least a couple turns through the rotation. Verlander is without an official timeline for return, but he'll be eligible to be activated from the injured list at the start of July.
Jun 16 2024Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Verlander (neck) could pitch either Wednesday or Thursday against the White Sox in Houston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager Joe Espada suggested earlier in the day that Verlander could rejoin the rotation for the Chicago series, and Brown's comments help further narrow down a potential return date for the 41-year-old righty. Verlander was unable to make his scheduled start Saturday versus the Tigers after experiencing neck discomfort during his bullpen session Wednesday, prompting the Astros to push both Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco ahead in the pitching schedule. The extra rest appears to have done Verlander some good, as he was able to play catch prior to Sunday's series finale with Detroit. He'll likely try to throw another bullpen session Monday or Tuesday before the Astros lock him for a start against the White Sox.
Jun 15 2024Verlander was scratched from his start Saturday versus the Tigers due to neck discomfort, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was geared up to face his former team Saturday, but he'll now likely have to have his turn in the rotation skipped completely as a result of the neck issue. With Sunday's scheduled starter Spencer Arrighetti now pushed up to toe the rubber Saturday, Houston will likely have to look outside the major-league roster for a fill-in starter Sunday. Left-hander Eric Lauer is with Triple-A Sugar Land and could be an option to be called up. It's unclear whether or not Verlander's injury will require a stint on the injured list, but for now the 41-year-old's next opportunity to return to the mound appears to be next weekend in Baltimore at the earliest.
Jun 10 2024Verlander did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 9-7 loss to the Angels, allowing four runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out three over five innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander had another pedestrian outing against one of the weaker lineups in baseball. The positives were that he didn't allow a home run or walk a batter, though he did give up seven hits for a second straight start and isn't missing many bats, evidenced by his 2.9 swinging strike percentage Sunday. Verlander has just seven strikeouts over his last 10 innings, and this is after coming off of back-to-back nine-strikeout performances to end May. The 41-year-old will take a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB (57 innings) into his next start against the Tigers over the weekend.
Jun 3 2024Verlander did not factor into the decision in Monday's 2-1 win over the Cardinals, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts over five innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander got into immediate trouble, allowing solo home runs to Alec Burleson and Nolan Gorman in the first inning. He labored through the next four, surrendering a total of eight hard-hit balls, including another homer by Gorman, and leaving with a 4-2 deficit. Verlander was coming off back-to-back nine-strikeout efforts, but he has now failed to reach six innings in four of his nine starts this season. In those nine games, Verlander has posted a 3.63 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 48:17 K:BB. He tentatively lines up for a road matchup against the Angels on Sunday.
May 30 2024Verlander did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's loss to the Mariners, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out nine. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander got off to a great start, hurling 1-2-3 innings in three of the first four frames before surrendering a solo homer to Dominic Canzone in the fifth. The veteran right-hander would only allow a walk from that point on and managed to go seven innings for the third time in his last six starts. Verlander also matched his season high with nine strikeouts, which he also recorded in his previous start against the Athletics.
May 24 2024Verlander (3-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits and struck out nine without walking a batter, earning the win Friday over the Athletics. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has alternated quality starts with shorter outings over his seven starts this season, and this was one of his good ones. The nine strikeouts were a season high, and it was just the second time he hasn't walked a batter this year. The 41-year-old is at a 3.60 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 35:14 K:BB through 40 innings. Verlander is projected to make his next start at Seattle.
May 18 2024Verlander (2-2) took the loss against Milwaukee on Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 4.2 innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander made it through four innings without giving up a run, but things fell apart for him in the fifth. In that frame, he put the first three batters on base via a single and two walks before allowing his first run on a sacrifice fly. Verlander got another out to nearly escape the jam without further damage, but William Contreras sent him to the showers with a three-run blast to center field. Verlander was coming off his best start of the season with seven scoreless innings against Detroit his last time out, though that was preceded by a seven-run, five-inning blowup against the Yankees his previous trip to the mound. He'll try to get back on the right track in his next appearance, which is tentatively lined up to take place in Oakland.
May 12 2024Verlander (2-1) earned the win after he pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up two hits and two walks while striking out eight batters in Sunday's 9-3 victory over the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was back to being sharp Sunday, limiting Detroit to just four baserunners while recording a season-high eight punchouts. The 41-year-old was coming off of allowing seven runs over five innings against the Yankees on Tuesday, but he rebounded with his third quality start over five outings in 2024. Verlander now owns a 3.38 ERA with 23 strikeouts over 29.1 innings this season, and his next projected start is set to come Friday at home versus the Brewers.
May 8 2024Verlander (1-1) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up seven runs on eight hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over five innings as the Astros were routed 10-3 by the Yankees. He struck out two. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 41-year-old right-hander looked his age, managing only six swinging strikes among his 97 pitches as he got tagged for his most earned runs in a start since July 2, 2017 against Cleveland. Verlander has served up five homers in four starts and 22.1 innings, which isn't unusual for him, but he's beginning to have trouble keeping traffic off the basepaths ahead of the long balls -- he's walked at least three batters in three straight starts. He'll take a 4.43 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 15:10 K:BB into his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the A's.
May 2 2024Verlander pitched seven innings in a no-decision against the Guardians on Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander allowed the leadoff man to reach in four of his seven innings of work but managed to limit the damage to only two runs, both of which came across in the top of the fifth. The veteran right-hander struggled to get ahead in the count for much of the contest and has now issued at least three walks in back-to-back starts, though he's still held opposing teams to two or fewer runs in all three outings to open the campaign. Wednesday also marked Verlander's first start this season in which he's gone at least seven innings.
Apr 25 2024Verlander didn't factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three hits and four walks with seven strikeouts over 4.1 scoreless innings against the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander couldn't complete five innings Thursday, getting pulled after 95 pitches. His inefficiency and lack of control led to four walks, but he kept each baserunner from reaching home plate. Through two starts Verlander owns a 1.74 ERA with 11 strikeouts across 10.1 innings. He's expected to make his next start Thursday against the Guardians.
Apr 20 2024Verlander (1-0) picked up the win in Friday's 4-2 victory over the Nationals, allowing two runs on four hits over six innings. He struck out four without walking a batter. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 41-year-old right-hander didn't look like a pitcher who had missed the first three-plus weeks of the season on the IL due to shoulder trouble. Verlander fired 50 of 78 pitches for strikes, and his two fastest pitches of the night - 95.0 and 94.9 mph four-seamers to Jesse Winker - came against the final batter he faced. The Astros will likely keep a careful eye on his workload, but Verlander looks ready to step into his usual role at the top of the rotation. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound next week on the road against the Cubs.
Apr 19 2024Verlander (shoulder) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and is starting Friday against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander missed the first few weeks of the season rehabbing from a shoulder issue but will make his 2024 debut Friday in Washington. According to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, manager Joe Espada said the Astros plan to limit the veteran right-hander to around 80-to-85 pitches, which would be a minor increase on the 77 pitches Verlander threw in his final rehab start.
Apr 17 2024Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (shoulder) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut Friday against the Nationals, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander got through a bullpen session Tuesday with no issues, clearing the way for his season debut after he completed his rehab program for right shoulder inflammation. The 41-year-old went four innings and threw 77 pitches in his last rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi over the weekend, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and one walk in the process. Verlander should be able to handle around 90 pitches Friday, although it's unclear whether the Astros have a specific pitch count in mind.
Apr 15 2024Verlander (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander made his second minor-league start Saturday with Double-A Corpus Christi. While he gave up five earned runs on seven hits and one walk over four innings, he was able to toss 77 pitches and reported no setback. Verlander told reporters Monday that he feels "ready to step on that mound again," per Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. If Tuesday's bullpen session goes well, then Verlander could join the Astros' rotation and make his season debut Friday against the Nationals.
Apr 14 2024Manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Verlander (shoulder) could return from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut Friday against the Nationals, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Espada noted that he has yet to check in with Verlander since the veteran right-hander made his second minor-league rehab start Saturday with Double-A Corpus Christi. He covered four innings and tossed 77 pitches in that outing while allowing five earned runs on seven hits and one walk, but as long as Verlander informs the Houston coaching staff that he's feeling fine physically, the 41-year-old should get the green light to make his next start with the big club. Verlander hasn't pitched particularly well in his two rehab starts while allowing 11 earned runs, but the Astros may not want to delay his return any longer given their early season rotation issues.
Apr 12 2024Verlander (shoulder) will make his second rehab start Saturday for Double-A Corpus Christi, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander made his first rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on April 7. He was able to go three innings and struck out six batters, but he also allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk. The important thing is that he emerged without any setbacks and he will now look to add to his workload Saturday.
Apr 8 2024Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Verlander (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday and will have another minor-league rehab start on the weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It's unclear which affiliate Verlander will start for, but the veteran right-hander appears to be progressing through his rehab well. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk over three innings in Sunday's outing with Triple-A Sugar Land, but he also struck out six batters.
Apr 3 2024Verlander (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander will throw one more bullpen session at Minute Maid Park on Thursday before heading out on his rehab assignment. He's expected to throw around 70-to-75 pitches Sunday for Sugar Land. Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that the team is confident Verlander will need just two rehab starts, which could put him on track to rejoin the rotation as soon as April 17 against Atlanta. Verlander has been working his way back from right shoulder inflammation.
Apr 2 2024Astros manager Joe Espada said Verlander (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Thursday before pitching in a minor-league game a few days later, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran right-hander threw 52 pitches during a three-inning simulated game Monday, and it appears the next step in his rehab program will be pitching in a minor-league game. Verlander previously said he wants to build his pitch count to around 85 before joining the Astros, and he'll likely require at least two rehab starts before being activated.
Apr 1 2024Verlander (shoulder) threw a three-inning, 52-pitch simulated game Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander came out of the session without any issues. Although nothing definitive has been determined yet, his next step is expected to be beginning a rehab assignment. The 41-year-old figures to require at least a couple rehab starts before rejoining the Astros' rotation. Verlander has been working his way back from a right shoulder problem.
Mar 30 2024Verlander (shoulder) will throw a live batting practice session Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The plan for Monday's batting practice is for Verlander to throw three innings and around 50 pitches. If that goes well, the veteran right-hander would begin his rehab assignment as he works his way back to the Astros' rotation.
Mar 28 2024The Astros placed Verlander (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's recovery from right shoulder inflammation is going well, as he most recently threw a live batting practice session Tuesday. The plan is for him to begin a rehab assignment soon, which should consist of multiple starts before he's ready to rejoin Houston's rotation.
Mar 26 2024Verlander (shoulder) threw 32 pitches during live batting practice Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran right-hander apparently looked good as his fastball sat in the low-to-mid 90s and touched 95 mph. Manager Joe Espada indicated Monday that if all went well during live BP that Verlander should next begin a minor-league rehab assignment, which is sure to include multiple starts. According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Verlander said he felt good during Tuesday's session and would like to build his pitch count to about 85 before joining Houston's rotation.
Mar 25 2024Verlander (shoulder) will throw a two-inning, 30-to-35 pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: If Verlander gets through the live BP without any issues, he will likely then be cleared to begin a rehab assignment. The 41-year-old will require multiple rehab starts in order to get his stamina built up, so a return to the Astros' rotation is still multiple weeks away.
Mar 22 2024Verlander (shoulder) will throw another live batting practice session at Minute Maid Park on Monday or Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander threw a 20-pitch live BP -- his first of the spring -- on Wednesday and came away encouraged by how things went. He will travel back with the Astros to Houston on Sunday when camp breaks before facing hitters again early next week and likely upping his pitch count. Verlander is set to open the season on the injured list but seemingly could be back before the end of April if all goes well.
Mar 21 2024Manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Verlander won't pitch in the Astros' remaining four Grapefruit League games nor the team's two exhibitions leading up to Opening Day, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander seems to be making progress in his recovery from the right shoulder injury that has kept him from pitching in a game at any point this spring, as Espada noted that the nine-time All-Star responded well after throwing 20 pitches in a live batting practice session Wednesday. He'll most likely throw another live BP or two before the spring comes to a close before he heads out on a minor-league rehab assignment to build up his innings. Verlander will open the season on the Astros' 15-day injured list, but assuming he experiences no snags during his rehab assignment, he could be ready to slot into the Houston rotation before the end of April.
Mar 18 2024Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Verlander (shoulder) will face hitters "in the next day or two," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran right-hander threw another bullpen session Sunday and is poised for his first live batting practice session since he developed a shoulder issue. Verlander is expected to need multiple live BP sessions before being cleared to pitch in games, and it's not clear whether that will happen before the Grapefruit League schedule runs out. The Astros haven't divulged a timetable for Verlander's season debut, but he would seem to be tracking toward a return in late April or early May.
Mar 17 2024Astros manager Joe Espada said Verlander (shoulder) will throw a light bullpen session Sunday, and if that goes well, the right-hander will advance to throwing live batting practice, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander said Friday he is "definitely getting close to facing hitters," and it appears Sunday's bullpen will be the final hurdle. Espada also said the 41-year-old will require multiple live sessions before pitching in games, so Verlander is likely still a week or two away from that step. The veteran will begin the season on the injured list but could be ready to join the Astros in mid-to-late April.
Mar 15 2024Verlander (shoulder) bounced back well from a bullpen session Thursday and said Friday that he's "definitely getting close to facing hitters," Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander didn't rule out facing hitters the next time he throws but said that will be decided by the team. A stint on the injured list to begin the season awaits him, and given that he has not yet faced hitters, the IL stint could be longer than the minimum. The 41-year-old right-hander is trending in the right direction, however.
Mar 8 2024Verlander (shoulder) said he ramped up his throwing intensity during a 60-pitch bullpen session Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran right-hander noted that his fastball velocity in Friday's session was sitting in the low 90s. Verlander will begin the season on the injured list as he works his way back from an offseason right shoulder issue, but he continues to make steady progress in his recovery. It's not clear when he might face hitters or if he'll pitch in any Grapefruit League games.
Mar 5 2024Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Verlander (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has not encountered any setbacks and continues to progress well as he works his way back from an offseason right shoulder issue. However, the 41-year-old simply needs more time. Verlander has been throwing bullpen sessions but has not yet been cleared for live batting practice. It's not clear whether he will be able to get into any Grapefruit League games before the exhibition schedule wraps up. If Verlander is placed on the IL Opening Day, he would first be eligible to return April 11, although it would appear far from a given that he's ready at that time.
Mar 3 2024Verlander (shoulder) threw a 60-pitch bullpen session Sunday that appeared to include some breaking balls, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 41-year-old continues to ramp up his throwing program, with the next step potentially being to face live hitters. Manager Joe Espada indicated Verlander could still be ready by Opening Day but also said "we're running out of days [in spring training]," per Kawahara.
Mar 1 2024Verlander (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was not cleared to face hitters after Tuesday's bullpen session as hoped, but perhaps that will happen after Sunday's mound work. The veteran right-hander has been coming along slowly but surely in camp after some offseason shoulder issues, but he's running out of time to get ramped up by Opening Day.
Feb 28 2024Verlander (shoulder) felt good during a bullpen session Tuesday but isn't yet ready to face hitters, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was already working with a tight window to be ready for Opening Day, and the fact that he's not yet able to face hitters increases the likelihood that he'll begin the season on the shelf. While he's still not ruling Verlander out for the season opener, Astros manager Joe Espada admitted Wednesday that "obviously we're kind of running out of days here." The veteran right-hander has been throwing without issue in camp after his shoulder didn't bounce back well during his offseason work, but he simply just needs more time to build up. The coming days should paint a clearer picture as to Verlander's availability for Opening Day.
Feb 26 2024Verlander (shoulder) will ramp up the intensity of his throwing during a bullpen session Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has thrown a few low-intensity bullpen sessions consisting of fastballs and has thus far come out of them well during spring training. The veteran right-hander is being ramped up slowly this spring after his right shoulder didn't bounce back well during his offseason throwing program. Verlander and the Astros aren't ruling him out from being ready for the start of the season, but the window is tight.
Feb 22 2024Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that he's "encouraged" with Verlander's (shoulder) progress, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander threw another bullpen session Wednesday and evidently bounced back well a day later. The 41-year-old is being slow-played this spring after having what he described as a "hiccup" with his right shoulder during his offseason throwing program. Verlander's readiness for Grapefruit League games and Opening Day remains unclear, but he's trending in the right direction.
Feb 16 2024Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Verlander's (shoulder) arm is feeling good following Thursday's bullpen session, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The pitcher looked to be throwing at less than 100 percent effort in the session, but it's nonetheless a positive development that he experienced no issues a day later. By Verlander's own tally, it was the fourth time he's thrown off a mound since an offseason "hiccup" with his shoulder. It's unclear when the veteran right-hander might be ready for Grapefruit League action.
Feb 14 2024Verlander said Wednesday that he's "a couple weeks behind" schedule after his right shoulder didn't bounce back as hoped during his offseason throwing program, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander referred to his ongoing recovery as a "hiccup" rather than a setback and added that he's thrown three bullpen sessions as he ramps back up. Though Verlander seems confident the shoulder issue isn't a major concern, the veteran right-hander notably missed the first five weeks of last season with a shoulder problem that developed during spring training. The Astros haven't outlined a timeline for when Verlander might be ready to pitch in a Grapefruit League game.
Oct 19 2023Verlander will start Game 5 of the ALCS on Friday at Texas, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: An easy call here for Astros manager Dusty Baker. Verlander took the loss in Game 1 of the ALCS on Sunday at Houston, but that was mostly due to a lack of run support. The veteran right-hander has allowed only two runs while tallying 11 strikeouts through 12.2 innings (two starts) this postseason.
Oct 15 2023Verlander took the loss in Sunday's 2-0 match against the Rangers in Game 1 of the ALCS, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks across 6.2 innings. He struck out five. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander had a solid performance on the losing side of a pitchers duel, yet his team could not bail him out of the 12th loss of his postseason career. The veteran right-hander was victim to an RBI single in the second inning to give the Rangers an early lead, and a fifth-inning solo home run by Leody Taveras furthered the damage. However, Verlander hasn't lost a beat in his age-40 season, tossing his seventh quality start in eight games since September. So far this postseason, Verlander has pitched to a clean 1.42 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 12.2 innings with 11 strikeouts.
Oct 12 2023Verlander will start Game 1 of the ALCS against the Rangers on Sunday in Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander would have gotten the call for a potential ALDS Game 5 start against the Twins, but the Astros took care of business with a clinching Game 4 victory Wednesday at Target Field. The veteran right-hander was his usual trusty October self in Game 1 of that best-of-five series, tallying six strikeouts over six scoreless innings in a 6-4 defeat of Minnesota. He'll be on seven full days of rest leading into the opener of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series versus Texas.
Oct 9 2023Astros manager Dusty Baker said Monday that Verlander is "probably not" an option to start Game 4 of the ALDS against the Twins on short rest, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Houston has not yet announced a Game 4 starter, but it doesn't sound like Verlander is under consideration. Instead, Verlander would presumably be in line to take the ball in a potential Game 5. The Astros are turning to Cristian Javier in Game 3 after splitting the first two games of the series. It figures to be J.P. France or Jose Urquidy starting Game 4 for Houston after Hunter Brown was used in relief in Game 2.
Oct 5 2023Verlander will start for the Astros on Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Twins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Astros have co-aces with Verlander and Framber Valdez, and manager Dusty Baker will go with the former for the series opener while holding the latter back for Game 2. Verlander collected a 2.73 ERA over his final five starts of the regular season for Houston. He will be pitching on six days' rest Saturday.
Sep 30 2023Verlander (13-8) allowed two hits and three walks while striking out five over five shutout innings to earn the win Saturday over the Diamondbacks. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's three walks were his most in a start since he was traded from the Mets, but he still got the job done. The Astros' playoff spot was confirmed with their win and the Mariners' loss to Texas. Verlander has maintained three scoreless outings in his 11 starts with Houston, and he ends September allowing 17 runs (16 earned) over 39 innings across six starts. He's at a 3.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 144:45 K:BB in 162.1 innings over 27 regular-season starts, and it's a near certainty the right-hander will start in a playoff game.
Sep 25 2023Verlander (12-8) allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight over eight-plus innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This was Verlander's longest outing since he was traded from the Mets to the Astros at the deadline. It was also his third quality start over five outings in September. The 40-year-old right-hander is now at a 3.32 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 139:42 K:BB through 157.1 innings over 26 starts this season. He's tentatively lined up to face the Diamondbacks on the road this weekend, but Houston may change its pitching plans depending on its positioning in the standings at that point if the team needs to line up a playoff rotation.
Sep 19 2023Verlander did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings against the Orioles. He struck out five. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has now gone six or more innings in each of his last four starts, though he's pitched to a 5.19 ERA in that span. Overall, the veteran right-hander is 11-8 with a 3.44 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 131:41 K:BB through 25 starts (149.1 innings) this season between the Astros and the Mets. Verlander's currently lined up for a favorable home matchup with the Royals in his next outing.
Sep 12 2023Verlander (5-3) took the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs on eight hits over seven innings against the Athletics. He struck out seven. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The A's got to Verlander early Tuesday, scoring three times in the opening inning, including a pair on a Shea Langeliers homer. Verlander would hold Oakland to two runs over his final six frames, though he'd ultimately wind up with just his second loss in his last seven starts. The veteran right-hander had been excellent of late, holding opponents to one run or fewer in three of his prior four outings. His ERA now sits at 3.39 with a 1.16 WHIP and 126:40 K:BB across 24 starts (143.1 innings) between the Astros and Mets this season. Verlander will look to get back on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for early next week against the Orioles.
Sep 6 2023Verlander (11-7) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander and former Mets teammate Max Scherzer got the starts Wednesday, but only Verlander lived up to the billing with a sharp start. The 40-year-old right-hander had some trouble with Marcus Semien, but the rest of the Rangers' lineup didn't challenge him. Verlander has allowed one earned run or fewer in three of his last four starts. He's at a 3.23 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 119:40 K:BB through 136.1 innings over 23 starts this season. Verlander is projected for a favorable home start versus the Athletics next week.
Sep 1 2023Verlander (10-7) suffered the loss after he surrendered six runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three in Friday's 6-2 defeat to the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander struggled with the long-ball Friday, giving four homers to New York. The right-hander surrendered a solo shot to DJ LeMahieu to open the game before Jasson Dominguez took him deep for a two-run blast with two outs in the first inning. He later gave two more solo shots to Giancarlo Stanton in the third and Aaron Judge in the fifth frame. Verlander had gone 11 straight scoreless innings in his prior two starts and his ERA since the beginning of August is still a respectable 3.86 over 35 frames.
Aug 28 2023Verlander (10-6) got the win Sunday over the Tigers, allowing just two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out seven. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Though he allowed just two hits, Verlander needed 98 pitches to navigate through five frames as the Tigers often worked him deep into the count. The 40-year-old only registered an 18 percent whiff rate and also plunked three batters but was able to power through the command issues and has now thrown 11 consecutive scoreless innings with a 16:3 K:BB. He's lined up for a start against the struggling Yankees next weekend in an inviting home matchup.
Aug 22 2023Verlander (3-1) earned the win Tuesday, allowing five hits and one walk over six scoreless innings against the Red Sox. He struck out nine. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Fantasy managers got vintage Verlander Tuesday, as the veteran fanned a season-high nine batters while blanking the Red Sox across six frames. The performance was a nice bounceback for Verlander, who had allowed 10 runs and struck out 13 batters during his last three starts (18 innings). He's lined up to make his next appearance during a three-game series rematch against Boston at Fenway Park next week.
Aug 16 2023Verlander (8-6) earned the win Wednesday, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks over five innings in a 12-5 win over the Marlins. He struck out two. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It wasn't Verlander's best effort, though he did enough to earn his second win thanks to Houston's offensive outburst. It's the first time in three starts that Verlander failed to make it through six innings since rejoining the Astros at the trade deadline. Overall, the veteran right-hander has a 3.36 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 94:35 K:BB across 19 starts (112.1 innings) between the Astros and Mets. Verlander currently lines up for a home matchup with the Red Sox in his next outing.
Aug 11 2023Verlander (7-6) earned the win Friday, allowing three runs on six hits and zero walks over six innings in a 11-3 win over the Angels. He struck out seven. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander tossed a quality start and received plenty of run support from the Astros offense to earn his first win since his return to the team at the trade deadline. Since the start of June, Verlander has regained his ace form with a 2.56 ERA and 70 strikeouts over 77.1 innings. He'll look to continue this string of quality performances in his next scheduled start, likely to take place next week in Miami.
Aug 5 2023Verlander (6-6) took the loss Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over seven innings against the Yankees. He struck out four. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander allowed back-to-back hits to start the bottom of the second, leading to a sacrifice fly from Anthony Volpe for the Yankees' first run of the game. The right-hander would then retire seven of the next nine batters he faced before serving Jake Bauers up with a hanging slider, which the first baseman launched over the wall in right field. Despite taking the loss, it was still a solid debut for Verlander in his return to Houston following the trade. He's now allowed two earned runs or fewer in four consecutive starts and in six of his last seven.
Aug 3 2023Astros manager Dusty Baker said Verlander is lined up to start Saturday against the Yankees, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Acquired from the Mets just ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline in exchange for prospects Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford, the veteran right-hander is all set to go ring chasing again in an Astros uniform. It sounds like Jose Urquidy (shoulder) will come off the 60-day injured list and follow Verlander in Sunday's series finale at Yankee Stadium.
Aug 1 2023The Astros acquired Verlander from the Mets on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander returns to Houston, where he claimed the AL Cy Young Award in both 2019 and 2022 while working to an overall 2.26 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 825:114 K:BB in 102 starts (652 innings) during his first stint with the organization. He signed a two-year, $86.67 million contract with the Mets this past winter which also carries a $35 million vesting option for 2025. New York will presumably eat some of that cash in order to improve the level of prospects that will be heading over from the Astros' farm system. Those prospects have since been identified as Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford.
Jul 31 2023Verlander (6-5) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the Nationals. He struck out five. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander turned in another strong start Sunday, snaring his third consecutive win -- and the 250th of his Hall of Fame-worthy career -- while tossing 5.1 innings of one-run ball. After a slow start to the season (4.50 ERA over his first nine appearances), Verlander has found his stride and is 4-1 with a 1.49 ERA across his last seven starts. Assuming the three-time Cy Young Award winner isn't dealt prior to Tuesday's trade deadline, Verlander will likely toe the rubber next against the Orioles at Camden Yards this weekend.
Jul 26 2023Verlander (5-5) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing two hits and four walks over six scoreless innings in a 9-3 victory over the Yankees. He struck out six. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran righty avoided trouble despite throwing just 63 of 98 pitches for strikes, and a pair of Pete Alonso homers gave Verlander all the run support he would need. The quality start was his fourth in five July outings, and on the month he boasts a 1.69 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 27:15 K:BB over 32 innings. Verlander will look to keep rolling in his next start, likely to come at home this weekend against the Nationals -- unless the Mets hold a fire sale before then and trade him.
Jul 20 2023Verlander (4-5) picked up the win Wednesday in a 5-1 victory over the White Sox, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over eight innings. He struck out seven. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It was a vintage performance for the 40-year-old, as Verlander generated 17 swinging strikes among his 100 pitches while completing eight innings for only the second time this season. The three-time Cy Young Award winner may have turned a corner on what has been a rough campaign to date -- over his last five starts, he's put together a 1.74 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 31 innings, although his 26:13 K:BB remains well below his usual standards. Verlander is next set to take the mound on the road early next week against the Yankees.
Jul 15 2023Verlander (3-5) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on two hits and six walks over five innings as the Mets fell 6-0 to the Dodgers. He struck out six. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 40-year-old right-hander threw only 59 of 104 pitches for strikes, but Verlander still held Los Angeles off the board until finally cracking in the fifth inning. The six free passes were his most in a start since 2017, as Verlander continues to have trouble putting everything together. In eight starts since the beginning of June, he has a 3.00 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 41:19 K:BB through 45 innings -- solid numbers, but well below his usual standards. If he stays on turn, Verlander's next start would come at home next week against the White Sox.
Jul 7 2023Verlander allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out two over six innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has logged quality starts in four of his last seven outings. He struggled a bit early on Friday, but settled in after that and left with the game tied at 3-3. The two strikeouts matched his season low, while he walked multiple batters for the sixth time in 12 starts. Verlander owns a 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 57:19 K:BB over 70 innings. He'll likely be in contention to start in a home series versus the Dodgers after the All-Star break.
Jul 2 2023Verlander (3-4) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one unearned run on five hits and a walk over seven innings in a 4-1 victory over the Giants. He struck out six. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 40-year-old blanked San Francisco for six innings before a Pete Alonso error in the seventh cracked the door open a bit, but Verlander limited the damage and fanned Brandon Crawford to end the threat. The three-time AL Cy Young Award winner is rounding into form, compiling a 2.65 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB through 34 innings since the beginning of June, and Verlander is now three wins away from 250 for his career. He'll get one more turn through the rotation before the All-Star break, an outing which lines up for next weekend in San Diego.
Jun 27 2023Verlander didn't factor into the decision in Monday's loss to Milwaukee, allowing five hits and two walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out five. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran right-hander worked in and out of jams, loading the bases with one out in the first inning and seeing runners reach scoring position in three of his four other frames, but Verlander escaped each time and exited the game nursing a 1-0 lead the Mets bullpen couldn't hold. He hasn't recorded a win in over a month, posting a 4.50 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB through 32 innings in the six starts since, and Verlander has yet to put together two consecutive solid starts this season. He'll look to break that pattern in his next outing, which could come at home this weekend against the Giants.
Jun 20 2023Verlander (2-4) was charged with the loss Tuesday against the Astros after he gave up four runs on eight hits and no walks over seven innings. He struck out five. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran right-hander generated just 10 swinging strikes on 94 pitches but was mostly able to hold his former team in check, though Alex Bregman tagged him for a two-run home run. Verlander has been unable to string together strong performances this season, as he's alternated allowing one run and four-plus runs in each of his past eight starts. He now has a 4.50 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 44:13 K:BB through 52 innings this year.
Jun 15 2023Verlander didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Yankees, allowing one run on three hits over six innings. He struck out six without walking a batter. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 40-year-old righty dueled Gerrit Cole to a 1-1 tie through six frames before both aces handed things off to their bullpens. Verlander continues to alternate sharp performances with shaky ones -- he has four quality starts in eight trips to the mound this year but has yet to produce two in a row, and he's surrendered 16 runs in 13 innings during his last three off starts. He'll try to break that pattern in his next outing, likely to come early next week in Houston.
Jun 9 2023Verlander allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and four walks while striking out three batters over three innings in a no-decision against Atlanta on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran struggled to get the ball over the plate, throwing just 45 of 82 pitches for a strike. Verlander's final line could actually have been much worse -- Atlanta left six runners on base during the three frames in which he pitched. The reigning AL Cy Young award winner hasn't really lived up to that billing in his first campaign with the Mets, posting a 4.85 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB over 39 innings and seven starts.
Jun 3 2023Verlander (2-3) took the loss Friday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over six innings as the Mets fell 3-0 to the Blue Jays. He struck out eight. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 40-year-old righty was dominant after serving up a leadoff homer to George Springer, but the New York offense couldn't get anything going against Chris Bassitt and the Toronto bullpen. Verlander generated 30 called or swinging strikes among his 117 pitches as he delivered his third quality start in six outings since making his belated season debut. While he has been tagged for six runs in two of those trips to the mound, it should be noted that one of them came in Coors Field, while the other came against the league-leading Rays. Verlander will take a 4.25 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 30:9 K:BB through 36 innings into his next start, which is likely to come next week in Atlanta.
May 27 2023Verlander allowed six runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out two over five innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander left the game in line for the loss before the Mets rallied to tie the game in the sixth inning. This is the second time in five starts that Verlander's allowed six runs but he's also had a pair of very good starts and one average one after missing the first month-plus of the season with a shoulder strain. The 40-year-old is at a 4.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB across 30 innings. He's lined up for a home start versus the Blue Jays.
May 21 2023Verlander (2-2) allowed one run on three hits over eight frames, striking out five and earning a win over the Guardians in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander bounced back from his last ugly outing with a stellar performance Sunday. He coughed up a solo shot to Jose Ramirez in the first inning and was nearly untouchable the rest of the way. Verlander retired 10 straight batters on two occasions, including the final 10 he faced. He's now sporting a 3.60 ERA through 25 innings in his first four starts of the year. Verlander's next start is lined up to be in Colorado.
May 17 2023Verlander (1-2) was hit with the loss Tuesday against the Rays after allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander struggled mightily in this one despite having an extra day of rest after his start was pushed back to Tuesday. Isaac Paredes opened up the scoring in the third with a three-run blast to left field and then followed that up with another two-run homer in the fifth. Verlander recorded an underwhelming 21 percent CSW in Tuesday's outing and has now given up four home runs over his first three starts of the year. He owns a 4.76 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB over 17 innings and will look to get back on track in a projected start against the Guardians over the weekend.
May 12 2023Verlander's next start has been pushed from Monday to Tuesday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: David Peterson will make a spot start in the Mets' series finale against the Nationals on Monday, giving Verlander an extra day of rest while also lining him up to handle Tuesday's series opener versus the red-hot Rays. The veteran right-hander has posted a vintage 2.25 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB through 12 innings (two starts) with New York after missing the first five weeks of the season because of a shoulder strain.
May 11 2023Verlander (1-1) got the win Wednesday over the Reds, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out seven over seven innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The only damage against Verlander came in the opening frame, as Jonathan India led off with a single and eventually came around to score on a double by Jake Fraley. Verlander quieted the Reds from there, allowing just two other batters to reach via walks. He generated 13 swinging strikes on 104 pitches and was still touching 96 MPH with his fastball in the seventh inning. It was a dominant effort from the 2022 AL Cy Young winner, and he'll take a 2.25 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB across two starts into a favorable matchup against the Nationals next week.
May 4 2023Verlander (0-1) took the loss Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over five innings against Detroit. He struck out five. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander made his first start of 2023 after being held out for the first five weeks of action with a strained right shoulder. The 40-year-old struggled to get through the first inning giving up back-to-back solo home runs to Riley Greene and Javier Baez. Outside of the two long balls, Verlander exited Thursday's outing relatively unscathed, giving up just three other hits and no more runs. Though he managed to make it through five innings, Verlander was yanked at just 79 pitches. He will likely continue to face limitations moving forward, but fantasy managers should expect Verlander's pitch count to increase as he works his way back from injury.
May 1 2023Manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Verlander (shoulder) is lined up to be activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday to make his season and Mets debut that day in Detroit, Deesha Thosar of Fox Sports reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander will be coming off the IL on five days' rest after he made his lone minor-league rehab start for Double-A Binghamton on Friday, when he struck out six over 4.2 scoreless innings. He's been out all season with a low-grade teres major strain in his right shoulder, but he tossed 69 pitches in the outing for Binghamton and shouldn't face any significant restrictions in his 2023 MLB debut.
Apr 28 2023Verlander (shoulder) fanned six over 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his rehab start with Double-A Binghamton on Friday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander got his pitch count up to 69 in the outing and allowed just two hits and one walk. There's no word on what his velocity looked like, but the results were certainly there. It's expected to be the only rehab start Verlander makes, as he's in line to make his Mets debut May 3 in Detroit against his original team.
Apr 5 2023Verlander (shoulder) underwent a follow-up MRI on Wednesday which showed reduced inflammation, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has kept throwing since being diagnosed shortly before Opening Day with a low-grade teres major muscle strain. Though Verlander's condition continues to improve and he won't have to halt his throwing program, the Mets aren't yet providing a timeline for him to make his team debut.
Mar 31 2023Verlander (shoulder) did some light throwing Friday in Miami, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday after being diagnosed with a low-grade teres major strain, but he has the blessing from team doctors to continue throwing on the side so that he won't require an overly lengthy build-up once he's cleared again for mound work. The veteran ace is scheduled to undergo new imaging tests on his upper right arm late next week to gauge the healing process. There should be a clearer timetable for his Mets debut once those scans are reviewed. Tylor Megill is filling his rotation spot.
Mar 30 2023Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a low-grade teres major strain, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander had been lined up to start the Mets' third regular-season game Saturday in Miami, but now he's at risk of missing much of April. Per an announcement from the club, the veteran right-hander will "continue throwing at moderate intensity" before undergoing new scans of his upper right arm next week. He inked a two-year, $86.67 million contract with New York over the winter. Tylor Megill will fill his spot in the rotation for the time being.
Mar 16 2023Verlander gave up only one hit over five scoreless innings while striking out eight in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The right-hander fired 51 of 71 pitches for strikes as he continues a dominant spring. Verlander has a dazzling 16:0 K:BB through 11.1 innings in Grapefruit League action, and the 2022 AL Cy Young Award winner appears more than ready for the beginning of the regular season. Mets manager Buck Showalter has yet to announce whether Verlander or Max Scherzer will get the Opening Day start, but there's no wrong answer between the two aces.
Mar 8 2023Verlander will be on the mound Friday against the Astros in a Grapefruit League start, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's second spring start will come against his former team. The right-hander made his Grapefruit League debut with the Mets on Sunday, an went three innings while allowing a run on two hits against the Marlins. In 2022 while a member of the Astros, Verlander was the 2022 Cy Young winner with a 1.75 ERA and 185:29 K:BB over 175 innings of work and helped the club to a World Series title.
Mar 5 2023Verlander gave up a run on two hits and struck out three in three innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Making his first appearance of the spring, Verlander fired 28 of 35 pitches for strikes and already looks just about ready for Opening Day. The 40-year-old won his third AL Cy Young Award last season with the Astros, and after signing a two-year, $87 million deal with the Mets this winter, the seemingly ageless ace might just take a run at the NL award in 2023.
Feb 27 2023Verlander will start Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It will be the first start for Verlander in a Mets' uniform. The right-hander signed a two-year, $86.66 million deal in December with a vesting option for 2025 after a dominant 2022 season where he posted a 1.75 ERA and 185:29 K:BB over 175 innings. The reigning Cy Young Award winner will pitch at the top of the Mets' rotation, and once again should be a fantasy stalwart during the 2023 campaign.
Dec 7 2022Verlander has signed a two-year, $86.66 million contract with the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The deal was reported Monday and has now been officially announced by the team. It includes a full no-trade clause and contains a $35 million vesting option for 2025 should Verlander pitch at least 140 innings in 2024. The reigning American League Cy Young winner is headed to the National League for the first time and will serve as Jacob de Grom's de facto replacement.
Dec 5 2022Verlander and the Mets agreed Monday on a two-year, $86.66 million contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. The contract includes a full no-trade clause and a $35 million vesting option for the 2025 season if he pitches at least 140 innings in 2024, according to Heyman. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After letting ace Jacob deGrom walk in free agency on a five-year, $185 million deal with the Rangers, the Mets secured about as strong of a replacement at the top of the rotation as they could have in Verlander, who took home his third Cy Young Award in 2022. Though he'll be turning 40 years old in February and missed the entire 2021 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Verlander demonstrated that he's still one of the game's elite starters by posting an 18-4 record, 1.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 185:29 K:BB in 175 innings this past season. The move from the reigning World Series champions to another team with title aspirations in the Mets shouldn't hurt Verlander too much from a wins standpoint, nor should the change in home ballpark from Minute Maid Park to Citi Field hinder his ratios. Expect Verlander to be one of the first pitchers off the board in 2023 fantasy drafts.
Nov 16 2022Verlander was unanimously voted as the American League Cy Young Award winner on Wednesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The future hall-of-famer finished the season with an incredible 1.75 ERA and 0.83 WHIP across 175 innings, securing the third Cy Young Award of his career (2011, 2019) in a unanimous decision. Though Verlander will turn 40 before the start of next season, he has shown no signs of slowing down anytime soon. He's sure to have plenty of teams interested in signing him to a high-salary, multi-year deal this offseason.
Nov 10 2022Verlander declined his $25 million player option for 2023 on Thursday and became a free agent, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After he missed the entire 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Verlander re-signed with the Astros last November on a one-year, $25 million deal that contained a conditional $25 million player option for 2023 if he tossed at least 130 innings in 2022. Not only did Verlander blow past that mark by covering 175 frames, but he finished the campaign as the odds-on favorite for the American League Cy Young Award by going 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 185:29 K:BB. Though he'll be entering his age-40 season in 2023, Verlander has shown no signs of slowing down and shouldn't have much trouble securing a multi-year deal in free agency at well above the $25 million annual salary he would have due had he exercised his option. Given the great success Verlander has enjoyed since arriving in Houston in an August 2017 trade with the Tigers, expect the Astros to do everything they can to retain their ace this offseason.
Nov 3 2022Verlander pitched five innings and earned the win during Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Phillies in Game 5 of the World Series, allowing one run on four hits and four walks while striking out six. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander surrendered a leadoff homer to Kyle Schwarber in the first inning, and seven more Phillies reached base in the first three innings, but he was able to work out of multiple jams without allowing another run. Pitching in his 17th season, Verlander recorded his first World Series win on the mound Thursday night. The righty has struggled to a 5.85 ERA over 20 innings in the postseason, but one more Houston victory would give him his second World Series ring.
Oct 28 2022Verlander pitched five innings and did not factor into Game 1's decision Friday night, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five in the 6-5 loss to the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was given a five-run advantage by the Houston offense, but he surrendered six hits and five runs in his last two innings and was unable to keep the lead. After three perfect innings to begin the game, the 39-year-old seemed to be throwing another vintage gem in Game 1, but the Phillies broke through and made consistent hard contact. Coming into the game with a 10-1 record and 1.64 ERA at home for the 2022 season, Verlander was expected to give the Astros a great chance at a 1-0 series lead, but he struggled against the scrappy Phillies lineup. He has now given up five runs or more in two of his three playoff starts, a slightly alarming trend for the future Hall of Famer.
Oct 19 2022Verlander earned the win during Game 1 of the ALCS in six innings of work, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out 11 in the 4-2 win over the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander delivered a vintage performance Wednesday night, keeping the dangerous New York lineup in check for six strong innings. The Yankees had runners on second and third with one out in the third inning, but Verlander was able to strike out Josh Donaldson and Matt Carpenter to keep the game tied. The 39-year-old then retired the next nine batters, delivering a crucial bounceback performance after allowing six runs to the Mariners in his previous outing. The 11 strikeouts were the most in a postseason game for Verlander since he recorded 13 against the Yankees in the 2017 ALCS.
Oct 8 2022Verlander will start Game 1 of the ALDS against the Mariners or Blue Jays on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: There was little doubt Verlander would earn the honor, as he rebounded from Tommy John surgery to record a 1.75 ERA in 28 starts this season, likely earning him a Cy Young. His 3.40 lifetime ERA in the postseason doesn't trail his career 3.24 regular-season ERA by much, though he owns a mediocre 4.27 ERA over his last nine playoff starts dating back to 2018.
Oct 4 2022Verlander (18-4) threw five no-hit innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Phillies. He struck out 10 and walked one. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Astros didn't push Verlander very far in a game that had no impact on the regular season. He exited after 77 pitches (51 strikes) in another sharp start to put a bow on his excellent regular season. The 39-year-old finished a 1.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 185:29 K:BB through 175 innings over 28 starts, and he'll likely be back on the mound for Game 1 of the ALDS in a week.
Sep 29 2022Verlander did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits with one walk over seven innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out eight. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It was a bit of a rocky beginning for Verlander, who gave up three hits in a row to start the first inning, including a leadoff double from Daulton Varsho. Both runs against Verlander scored in the frame, though one was unearned due to a passed ball. The right-hander then retired 18 of the next 23 batters he faced, though he did hit a batter to lead off the seventh. Verlander has not allowed a home run since July 23 and holds a 1.68 ERA in nine starts over that span, with 58 strikeouts and seven walks over 53.2 innings.
Sep 23 2022Verlander (17-4) took the loss Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits over six innings in a 2-0 loss against the Orioles. He struck out four without walking a batter. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander surrendered a two-run single to Rougned Odor with two outs in the second inning and did not receive any help from his offense. The loss was the right-hander's first since June 18 -- in 13 starts since, he's posted a 1.34 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 86:12 K:BB through 80.2 innings.
Sep 17 2022Verlander (17-3) allowed no hits and one walk while striking out nine across five scoreless innings to earn the win Friday against the Athletics. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander made his first start in nearly three weeks but showed no signs of rust. He dominated the weak Athletics lineup, racking up 12 swinging strikes on 79 total pitches to help him account for nine of his 15 outs via the strikeout. Spanning back to Aug. 23, Verlander has now turned in three consecutive scoreless starts spanning 14 innings. In that same span, he has a dominant 25:2 K:BB. For the season, Verlander owns a a 1.78 ERA and 0.83 WHIP across 157 frames.
Sep 16 2022Verlander (calf) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Friday's start against the Athletics, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has been on the injured list with a calf injury since Aug. 30, but he began a throwing program nearly two weeks ago and is ready to return. The right-hander felt good after throwing a bullpen session this week, but it's not yet clear whether he'll face any workload restrictions in the home start against Oakland. Hunter Brown should move to the bullpen now that Verlander is healthy, while Seth Martinez was sent down Friday.
Sep 14 2022Astros manager Dusty Baker said Verlander (calf) is in line to return from the 15-day injured list to start Friday against the Athletics, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander hasn't yet been confirmed to rejoin the rotation Friday, as the Astros will presumably want to see how he feels following his most recent throwing session before officially signing off on his return. Even if Verlander isn't locked in to start Friday, he looks to be trending toward slotting back into the rotation at some point this weekend, barring any major setbacks with his right calf. Rookie Hunter Brown is expected to move to the bullpen to open up a spot in the six-man rotation for Verlander, who has been on the shelf since Aug. 30.
Sep 11 2022Verlander (calf) is hoping to return to from the 15-day injured list to make a start during next weekend's series with the Athletics, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander won't be activated Tuesday when first eligible, but he threw his second bullpen session Sunday since landing on the injured list and felt fine afterward. He could throw again Tuesday or Wednesday -- either against hitters or in another bullpen session -- as one final test of his health before the Astros sign off on his return from IL. If Verlander is in fact activated at some point next weekend, he could face a limited pitch count in his return to the rotation.
Sep 9 2022Verlander (calf) threw around 30 pitches in the bullpen Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It's not clear if Verlander was throwing at maximum effort Friday, but regardless, pitching coach Josh Miller relayed that "everything went well." Verlander will throw again in a few days, and the Astros should provide another update on his status after that.
Sep 7 2022Verlander (calf) threw off the slope of a mound Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander hasn't yet been cleared to toe the rubber, but he said Wednesday that he hopes to throw a light bullpen session in the next few days. He doesn't yet have a timetable to return from the injured list but said that he's progressing as expected in his recovery from a right calf injury.
Sep 4 2022Astros general manager James Click said Verlander (calf) likely won't return from the 15-day injured list Sept. 13 when first eligible, but the right-hander isn't expected to be sidelined far beyond that date, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander seems to be progressing quickly from the right calf injury that prompted the Astros to deactivate him Tuesday. He threw off flat ground Sunday for the second straight day and looks like he could be ready to step back on the mound at some point during the upcoming week. Once that happens, Verlander will begin the process of ramping up through live batting practice sessions and simulated games. While Verlander is out, the Astros are expected to maintain a six-man rotation, as rookie Hunter Brown is on track to make his first big-league appearance as a starter Monday against the Rangers.
Sep 3 2022Verlander (calf) played catch from 60 feet Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander hit the injured list with a calf issue Tuesday, two days after he exited his start against the Orioles early. While he still has several steps to go before being activated, it's encouraging to see him throwing again in some capacity.
Aug 30 2022The Astros placed Verlander (calf) on the 15-day injured list Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Verlander underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed fascial disruption, but no muscle fiber disruption to his right calf, which he injured while covering first base in Sunday's start against the Orioles. While a timeline for Verlander's return hasn't yet been established, the diagnosis was worrisome enough for the club to place him on the shelf for at least the next couple weeks. Due to a pair of off days this week, Houston planned on scaling its rotation back to five men, so Cristian Javier will presumably return from the bullpen to take over Verlander's spot in the rotation. Additionally, top pitching prospect Hunter Brown is expected to be added from Triple-A Sugar Land when the active roster expands to 28 players Thursday, providing further coverage for Houston while Verlander is on the mend. In his comeback from Tommy John surgery this season, Verlander has re-emerged as a leading American League Cy Young candidate, as he turned in a 1.84 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over 152 innings before exiting Sunday's outing. He won't be eligible to come off the IL until Sept. 13.
Aug 28 2022Verlander was removed from Sunday's start versus the Orioles with right calf discomfort, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran right-hander battled against Baltimore and needed 60 pitches to get through three scoreless frames before he exited with the calf issue. Any injury is a concern, especially at this point in the season, but it's an encouraging sign Verlander isn't dealing with an arm issue. It remains to be seen if the injury affects his availability for his next turn through the rotation, but the Astros can afford to be extra cautious this week with scheduled off days Monday and Thursday.
Aug 24 2022Verlander (16-3) did not give up a hit, walk or run in 6 innings of work to earn the win in a 4-2 victory over the Twins on Tuesday. He struck out 10. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander continued his Cy Young caliber campaign with with six innings of no-hit baseball to move to a superb 16-3 record on the year. He retired 18 of the 19 batters he faced. The only batter to reach base was Nick Gordon on a strikeout-wild pitch in the second. Verlander will look to move into sole possession of the major-league lead in wins in his next expected start at Texas.
Aug 16 2022Verlander allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four in seven innings in a no-decision versus the White Sox on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This marked just the third time all year Verlander's allowed multiple runs in consecutive starts. He was sharp through six innings, allowing just one run, but Gavin Sheets got to him for a game-tying two-run double in the seventh, and the Astros ultimately went on to lose the game. While it was another pedestrian outing by Verlander's standards, it was also his ninth straight quality start. The ace right-hander has a 1.95 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 138:24 K:BB through 143 innings across 22 starts this year. He's projected for a home start versus the Twins next week if the Astros stick with a six-man rotation.
Aug 10 2022Verlander pitched six innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven in Wednesday's extra-inning loss to the Rangers. He did not factor into the decision. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander returned to Earth Wednesday, allowing more than one earned run for the first time in eight starts. The Rangers scratched two runs across in the top of the fourth and a sacrifice fly by Leody Taveras in the sixth frame provided the final tally on his line. The 39-year-old was able to extend his quality start streak to eight consecutive outings, producing an absurd 1.17 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 53 strikeouts over 53.2 innings during that stretch. His season numbers now sit at a 1.85 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 134 punchouts over 136 frames in 21 outings.
Aug 4 2022Verlander (15-3) allowed two hits and one walk while striking out five over six shutout innings to earn the win Thursday over the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: No Cleveland runners got past first base on Verlander's watch. The 39-year-old has now gone seven straight starts allowing one or fewer earned runs, winning all of them. He has a 1.73 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 127:23 K:BB through 130 innings in 20 starts this year. Verlander will look to keep this impressive stretch going in a home start versus the Rangers next week.
Jul 30 2022Verlander (14-3) gave up one earned run on five hits and a walk while striking out five over 7.2 innings to earn the win in an 11-1 rout of the Mariners on Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander continued his push for the third Cy Young Award of his career by pitching another gem against his division rivals. The right-hander is now 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA over 42.1 innings of work against the Mariners this season. The 39-year-old veteran leads MLB with 14 wins and boasts a sparking 1.81 ERA. He's projected to face Cleveland on the road next week.
Jul 24 2022Verlander (13-3) earned the win against Seattle on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits while striking out nine and walking two over seven innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander continued his dominant 2022 campaign, allowing just one run to cross the plate while throwing 67 of 101 pitches for strikes and striking out nine batters. The lone run against Verlander came on a Carlos Santana solo shot in the seventh inning. The veteran picked up his fifth win in a row and lowered his ERA for the sixth consecutive game. Saturday's contest was also Verlander's fifth quality start in a row and his 14th in 18 games this season. He will take a 1.86 ERA into his next appearance.
Jul 16 2022Verlander (12-3) earned the win during Saturday's 5-0 victory over Oakland, allowing six hits while recording 10 strikeouts in six shutout innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Making his first start since July 7 due to a family issue, Verlander was handed an early lead and cruised through six easy frames en route to an MLB-best 12th win. The 39-year-old fired 73 of 106 pitches for strikes with an impressive 19 swinging strikes leading to double-digit strikeouts for the second time this season. At the conclusion of the first half, Verlander possesses a 1.89 ERA and 0.88 WHIP, both of which rank third in MLB, with 108 strikeouts in 109.1 innings across 17 starts.
Jul 13 2022Verlander didn't accompany the Astros to Anaheim for their ongoing series with the Angels this week while he tends to what manager Dusty Baker called a "family issue," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander had been a candidate to start Thursday's series finale with the Angels on six days' rest, which would have put him on a normal schedule ahead of next week's MLB All-Star Game. Cristian Javier and Framber Valdez will instead take the hill for the final two games of the series with Anaheim, but Verlander remains on the 26-man active roster and Baker is hopeful that the veteran right-hander will be ready to take the hill at some point during the Astros' weekend series with the Athletics. Since Verlander now looks on track to return to the mound this weekend, Baker said revealed that the nine-time All-Star will "probably not" appear in the Midsummer Classic, according to Rome.
Jul 8 2022Verlander (11-3) earned the win Thursday, allowing one earned run on seven hits and two walks over six innings against the Royals. He struck out eight. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's eight strikeouts were his most since June 7, and he completed at least six innings while giving up one or fewer earned runs for a third straight start. During his current three-game win streak, he's allowed just 13 hits across 21 innings and has struck out 17 while walking four. Verlander's next start is tentatively scheduled for Thursday's start in Los Angeles.
Jul 3 2022Verlander will start Thursday's game against the Royals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jake Odorizzi (lower leg) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Monday's matchup against Kansas City, and the Astros plan to utilize a six-man rotation this week. Verlander has tossed 97.1 innings over 15 starts this season, and manager Dusty Baker said that the right-hander is being pushed back a few days to help manage his workload and preserve his long-term health.
Jun 29 2022Verlander (10-3) allowed two hits and one walk while striking out six across eight scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander dueled with Taijuan Walker for the entirety of his outing but ultimately was able to earn his 10th win thanks to a Jason Castro home run in the ninth inning. While still not dominant in terms of strikeouts, Verlander saw an uptick as compared to his recent outings and also induced 15 swinging strikes on 101 total pitches. Verlander has allowed one or fewer earned runs in 10 of his 15 starts this season, which has resulted in a 2.03 ERA across 97.1 frames.
Jun 24 2022Verlander (9-3) earned the win Friday after holding the Yankees to one run on four hits over seven innings. He had three strikeouts and one walk. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran right-hander tied his season low with only three strikeouts, but he kept New York off the board besides a solo home run from Giancarlo Stanton in the sixth. Verlander now has only 11 strikeouts across his past three starts, though he still has two wins and a 2.55 ERA in those outings. He tentatively lines up for a rematch with the Yankees at home on Thursday.
Jun 18 2022Verlander (8-3) allowed seven runs (four earned) on nine hits and no walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Errors have tarnished his line in each of the last two starts, but Verlander simply wasn't that effective Saturday in his shortest outing of the year. The White Sox rallied in the third and fourth innings to knock him from the contest. The veteran right-hander saw his ERA jump from 1.94 to 2.30 with a 0.89 WHIP and 81:15 K:BB across 82.1 innings in 13 starts this year. Considering how few his bad starts have been, we'll assume this was a minor speed bump in his season. Verlander is projected for a tough road start versus the Yankees next week.
Jun 12 2022Verlander (8-2) allowed four unearned runs on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts in seven innings, earning the win Sunday over the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Astros' defense committed two errors in the seventh inning, allowing the Marlins to build a four-run rally against Verlander that was capped off by a Bryan De La Cruz home run. It won't hurt Verlander's ERA since all the runs were unearned, and he's now gone seven innings in each of his last three starts. The 39-year-old now has a 1.94 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 78:15 K:BB through 78.2 innings across 12 starts. He projects to make his next start at home versus the White Sox next weekend.
Jun 7 2022Verlander (7-2) earned the win after he tossed seven innings, surrendering one run on six hits and two walks while striking out 12 in Tuesday's victory over the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After allowing six runs over six frames in his last start versus the Mariners on May 27, Verlander was dominant Tuesday with the only blemish on his line coming on an Abraham Toro RBI groundout in the top of the fourth frame. The 39-year-old struck out a season-high 12 batters in the outing while recording his eighth quality start of the campaign. He has now allowed three runs while recording 18 strikeouts over 14 innings in his last two starts following the blow up versus the Mariners. Verlander owns a superb 2.13 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 73 punchouts over 71.2 innings in 11 starts in 2022.
Jun 2 2022Verlander didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 in over the A's, giving up three runs on two hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out six. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The future Hall of Famer took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but an Elvis Andrus double and Christian Bethancourt homer quickly put Verlander on the hook for a loss until Houston rallied in the top of the ninth. He still delivered his seventh quality start of the season, and Verlander will take a 2.23 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 61:12 K:BB through 64.2 innings into his next outing.
May 27 2022Verlander (6-2) allowed six runs on 10 hits and a walk over six innings Friday, striking out six and taking a loss against Seattle. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was cursed by the long ball Friday, yielding six runs on four homers. He gave up a pair of two-run shots to Julio Rodriguez and Kyle Lewis in the first innings. The 39-year-old had been tagged with just four home runs through 51.2 frames entering Friday's ugly outing. Still, he's sporting a 2.03 ERA with a 55:10 K:BB through nine starts. Verlander is projected to take the mound in Oakland next week.
May 21 2022Verlander (6-1) earned the win during Saturday's 2-1 victory over Texas, allowing six hits with eight strikeouts in six scoreless innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After escaping a first-inning jam with the help of an out at the plate, Verlander cruised through five easy frames en route to his fifth straight win. The 39-year-old has lowered his ERA from 1.93 to a league-leading 1.22 with 19 consecutive scoreless innings over his last three starts and is pitching as efficiently as ever with his 14.2 pitches per inning ranking fifth in MLB. He'll look to keep the streak going with a start on tap for next weekend against Seattle.
May 15 2022Verlander (5-1) allowed two hits and three walks while striking out five in five scoreless innings to earn the win over the Nationals on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander fell short of posting a quality start Sunday after accomplishing the feat in his last five outings, but he threw 107 pitches over five innings Sunday, marking his highest pitch count since Sept. 1, 2019. The right-hander's velocity has also been improving following his Tommy John surgery, and his fastball topped out at 98.3 mph in the first inning Sunday. Verlander is tied for the league lead with five wins to begin the season, and he'll attempt to continue his success when he tentatively lines up to start at home against the Rangers on Saturday.
May 10 2022Verlander (4-1) earned the win Tuesday after pitching eight scoreless innings, surrendering one hit and two walks while striking out five versus the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander held the Twins hitless for the first 7.1 innings Tuesday, giving up a one-out single to Gio Urshela in the eighth inning, ending the no-hit bid with five outs to go. The 39-year-old was able to finish the inning, inducing an inning-ending double play by Royce Lewis in the following at-bat. Verlander has now produced five consecutive quality starts, winning three straight outings and posting a 1.51 ERA and 0.56 WHIP with 29 punchouts in 35.2 innings during that stretch. His season numbers now sit at a 1.55 ERA and 0.64 WHIP in six starts. After missing almost two full seasons, the right-hander looks to have picked up where he left off in his 2019 Cy Young campaign.
May 4 2022Verlander (3-1) allowed two earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out three across 6.2 innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was more reliant upon contact than is typically the case, though he still held Seattle scoreless through six innings. The lone blemish to his line came on a two-run home run by Eugenio Suarez. Verlander has now delivered a quality start in each of his last four outings, and he has yet to allow more than three earned runs in any appearance on the campaign. Through 32.2 innings, Verlander has maintained a 1.93 ERA and a 31:4 K:BB.
Apr 23 2022Verlander didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on four hits and a walk over six innings while striking out five. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The future Hall of Famer seemed headed for his second win of the year until he served up back-to-back homers to Santiago Espinal and Bradley Zimmer in the fifth inning, tying the game at 3-3. Verlander still delivered his second straight quality start, and he doesn't seem to have missed a beat in his return from Tommy John surgery, posting a 1.89 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB through his first 19 innings of 2022.
Apr 16 2022Verlander (1-1) picked up the win during Saturday's 4-0 shutout of Seattle, allowing three hits with eight strikeouts in eight scoreless innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: If there were any doubts about Verlander's potential to remain effective, they were put to rest Saturday. The 39-year-old righty was masterful in permitting just four baserunners while recording twice as many strikeouts and required 87 pitches to endure eight innings. The future Hall-of-Famer is set to take the hill next for a premier matchup against Toronto on Friday.
Mar 30 2022Verlander is scheduled to make his first start of the season April 9 against the Angels in Anaheim, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's status as a two-time Cy Young Award winner and future Hall of Famer would have made him a natural choice for the Opening Day nod, but the MLB lockout combined with his rehab from Tommy John surgery put him off schedule a bit. Though Framber Valdez will get the ball for the April 7 opener, Verlander will still be part of the team's rotation to begin the season, and he's not expected to face any major workload restrictions since he'll be just over 18 months removed from his Sept. 30, 2020 elbow procedure. While the usual caveats for spring training numbers apply, Verlander has looked as good as ever during his first three Grapefruit League outings, striking out 11 and holding hitters to a .167 average over 8.2 scoreless innings.
Mar 16 2022Verlander (elbow) will start Friday's Grapefruit League opener against the Cardinals, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander threw two simulated innings during live batting practice Sunday, and he'll continue his ramp-up process by drawing the start for the Astros during their first spring game Friday. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2020 and hasn't pitched in a game since July of that shortened season as a result. Assuming Verlander continues to progress smoothly during spring training, he'll now shift his focus toward building up his workload ahead of a potential Opening Day start April 7 versus the Angels.
Mar 13 2022Verlander (elbow) threw 35 pitches across two simulated innings during live batting practice Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is ramping things up at the start of spring training as he makes his return from Tommy John surgery. The veteran right-hander has pitched in only one game over the past two seasons, but he was as effective as ever in 2019 with a 2.58 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 300:42 K:BB across 223 innings. Verlander should be ready for game action by Opening Day, but he could face some workload limitations given the shortened spring training and length of his absence.
Nov 17 2021Verlander (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $25 million contract with the Astros on Wednesday, which includes a player option for 2023, Mark Berman of KRIV 26 News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander officially passed on the $18.4 million qualifying offer extended by Houston prior to Wednesday's deadline, and it didn't take long for him to reach a more lucrative deal. The 38-year-old missed the entirety of 2021 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he was still as effective as ever during his last full season with a 2.58 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 300:42 K:BB over 223 innings during 2019. The right-hander recently impressed at a showcase workout and is expected to enter spring training with minimal restrictions.
Nov 8 2021Verlander (elbow) threw approximately 25 pitches at a showcase workout Monday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander reportedly sat around 94-to-97 miles per hour with his fastball, right in line with his average of 95 mph since the start of the 2017 season. The veteran righty is working his way back from September 2020 Tommy John surgery and is heading into his age-39 season in 2021, but he should still generate plenty of interest from teams if he doesn't accept the Astros' $18.4 million qualifying offer the club extended him over the weekend. He wasn't showing any signs of slowing down prior to his injury, striking out 35.1 percent of opposing batters while walking just 4.7 percent en route to accruing a 2.56 ERA from 2018 to 2020. He has until Nov. 17 to accept the qualifying offer, but expect him to test the open market if he believes he can get a multi-year deal.
Oct 7 2021Verlander (elbow) is expected to receive a qualifying offer from the Astros this offseason, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander could potentially have an interesting decision on his hands. If healthy, he'd almost certainly receive more than the qualifying offer, which was worth $18.9 million over one year last year. He'll enter next season as a 39-year-old coming off of Tommy John surgery, so it's much less clear what his value will be on the open market. If he rejects the offer and signs elsewhere, Houston will receive draft-pick compensation.
Aug 26 2021Verlander (elbow) will not pitch this season, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Astros general manager James Click closed the window on Verlander's potential return this season during a radio interview Wednesday. Verlander had Tommy John elbow surgery Sept. 30, 2020, so the 38-year-old's ability to pitch in 2021 wasn't feasible given the injury's typical 12-to-14 month recovery period. He'll now enter the offseason as a free agent and will be 39 by the time spring training opens in February. Verlander said he wants to pitch into his 40s and was a Cy Young winner in 2019 and runner-up in 2018.
May 7 2021Verlander (elbow) has thrown from 90 feet and said Friday that he is feeling great, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The righty still has no timeline for his return from October 2020 Tommy John surgery, but his rehab appears to be progressing well. The upcoming free agent is intent on returning next season after making a full recovery, stating that his career is far from over and that he thinks he can get back to the pitcher he was pre-surgery.
Mar 17 2021Verlander (elbow) has resumed throwing, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is on the 60-day injured list and is expected to miss the entire 2021 campaign after he underwent Tommy John surgery in early October. However, the 38-year-old is progressing well in his recovery and threw for the first time five months after his surgery. Verlander is slated to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2021 season but has expressed interest in continuing his career once he's healthy.
Feb 27 2021Verlander (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's shift to the 60-day injured list is simply procedural, as the 38-year-old is expected to miss the entire 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in early October. His removal from the 40-man roster will clear room for Robel Garcia, who was claimed off waivers in a corresponding move. Although Verlander is slated to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2021 campaign, he's expressed interest in continuing his career when he's healthy.
Oct 1 2020Verlander (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander spent most of the season rehabbing after making just one start early in the year. However, he felt something in his elbow during a throwing session in late September that required Tommy John surgery. The recovery timeline is anticipated to be 12-to-14 months, so the 37-year-old should miss the entire 2021 season. He'll become a free agent in 2022, but he expressed hope that he'll be able to continue his career after he recovers.
Sep 19 2020Verlander (forearm) announced Saturday that he'll require Tommy John surgery, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was making progress in his recovery, but he said that he "felt something in his elbow" during his simulated game Wednesday. As a result, he'll miss significant time. The 37-year-old should miss the entire 2021 season as he carries a recovery timeline of 12-tl-14 months, but he hopes to continue his career when he's healthy, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Sep 18 2020Verlander (forearm) may throw a simulated game Monday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager Dusty Baker indicated the veteran right-hander is tentatively scheduled for the simulated game, but he also said he has yet to verify those plans with the athletic trainer. Verlander threw 75 pitches during his last workout Wednesday, 24 of which came against hitters. Assuming he throws Monday, the 37-year-old could return to the rotation for the final series of the regular season next weekend, though he likely wouldn't be tasked with a full starter's workload.
Sep 16 2020Verlander (forearm) threw 75 pitches in his workout Wednesday at Minute Maid Field, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The right-hander didn't toss a full simulated game, as McTaggart notes that only 24 of his pitches came against hitters. That said, it marks another step forward in the recovery process for Verlander, who previously built up to 55-to-60 pitches in a bullpen session. The Astros will presumably reassess Verlander in the next day or two before deciding if he's ready to return from the 10-day injured list, or if he'll need one more simulated outing before being activated. If Verlander is cleared to make his 2020 debut during the final week of the regular season, he likely wouldn't be asked to handle a normal starter's workload in the outing.
Sep 15 2020Verlander (forearm) will throw a simulated game Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is slated to throw 3-to-4 innings against live hitters at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday. If all goes well, he should be nearing his return to game action. The right-hander is expected to serve as a starter once he returns to the Astros' pitching staff, but it's unclear how many pitches he'll be able to throw if he pitches again during the regular season.
Sep 12 2020Verlander (forearm) will throw again Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was shut down with a strained forearm after making just a single start this season. He's been able to throw for nearly a month, however, and he's expected to face hitters during his next session if Saturday goes smoothly. Time is getting tight for him to pitch again before the end of the regular season, however, and he'll likely make no more than one fairly brief appearance if he returns at all.
Sep 10 2020The best-case scenario is for Verlander (forearm) to return at the end of the month, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: While that return timeline would be useful for the Astros in the postseason, it does nothing for those who are rostering him in fantasy leagues. The season ends Sept. 27, so the best-case scenario for fantasy would be Verlander starting a game in that final weekend series in Texas.
Sep 9 2020Verlander (forearm) is throwing 50-to-55 pitches in a bullpen session Wednesday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran right-hander remains without an official timeline for his return, but the fact he's already throwing 50-plus pitches off the mound is an encouraging sign for his recovery. Verlander likely will need to face live batters before being cleared to rejoin the active roster, but it appears he'll be able to return to the club within the next couple weeks.
Sep 6 2020Astros GM James Click said during a pregame interview Sunday that Verlander (forearm) has progressed to throwing off a mound, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: When Verlander hit the IL with a forearm strain in late July, he adamantly denied reports that his season was definitely over. Now that he's back throwing off a mound, a return this season seems well within reach. He does not have much time left to contribute during the regular season, but the Astros could expedite his return and have him build up on the job after he faces live hitters once or twice.
Aug 31 2020Verlander (forearm) continues to throw but has yet to throw off a mound, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is making progress in his efforts to return from a forearm strain before the end of the season, though time is getting tight given that he's still yet to advance to mound work. Even if he's ready to return before the end of the regular season, it's quite likely he'll be on a limited workload.
Aug 28 2020Manager Dusty Baker said Friday that Verlander (forearm) "is a little further away than we would like, but he's closer to reality than it appeared like when he first went down," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It doesn't sound like his return is imminent, which is not surprising as his most recent progression was throwing 20 pitches, but Baker sounds more optimistic that he could get his ace back before the end of the season.
Aug 24 2020Verlander (forearm) threw 20 pitches Sunday and felt good afterward, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander continues to work his way back from a right forearm strain, and his throwing sessions have all gone well to date. The right-hander still needs to build up his workload before he'll be in consideration for a return to the Astros' starting rotation, but he's been exhibiting positive signs in his recovery so far.
Aug 18 2020Verlander (forearm) played catch Tuesday and felt good afterward, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has now made an important first step in proving the initial reports that he would miss the entire season with a forearm strain incorrect. He still has a long way to go before returning to game action, but it remains a possibility that he'll be able to do so before the end of the year if he continues progressing without setbacks.
Aug 12 2020Verlander (forearm) hopes to resume throwing next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander landed on the injured list with a strained right forearm after making just one start this season, though he denied initial reports that he was done for the year. That could of course still wind up being the case, as it won't become clear whether or not he has a shot to return until after the Astros see how his arm responds to renewed activity.
Aug 10 2020General manager James Click said Monday that Verlander (forearm) still hasn't resumed throwing, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander isn't progressing as quickly as he'd like to while he deals with a forearm strain, and the team is still waiting on the inflammation in his forearm to subside before it builds him back up. While the 37-year-old expressed optimism about his status when the injury first surfaced, whether he'll be ready to take the mound at some point in 2020 remains to be seen.
Aug 8 2020Verlander (forearm) isn't progressing as quickly as he'd like to, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was shut down with a forearm strain after making just one start this season, though he denied initial reports that he'd been ruled out for the year. This latest report doesn't seem to indicate a setback, as it only relates Verlander's recovery to his own aspirations. Manager Dusty Baker added, "He wanted to pitch yesterday." At the very least, it indicates that Verlander isn't making a miraculous recovery, and his chances of playing again this season remain up in the air.
Jul 26 2020Verlander (forearm) was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The move isn't surprising after manager Dusty Baker said Sunday that Verlander would be shut down for a couple weeks with a right forearm strain. The 36-year-old's availability for later in the season could become more clear once he's re-evaluated after his period of rest, but Verlander confirmed that there's a possibility for him to return at some point in 2020.
Jul 24 2020Verlander (1-0) struck out seven and allowed two runs on three hits and a walk over six innings while earning the win Friday versus the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The reigning AL Cy Young winner allowed solo home runs to Kyle Lewis and Kyle Seager, but was able to prevent any additional damage. Verlander looks capable of maintaining his ace status for the Astros in 2020. His next turn on the hill comes Wednesday at home versus the Dodgers.
Jul 15 2020Verlander will start Opening Day for the Astros on July 24 against the Mariners, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran right-hander was going to miss the original start of the season after undergoing groin surgery in mid-March, but he'll receive another Opening Day start following the multi-month shutdown. Verlander allowed a career-high 36 homers in 2019, but he still posted an impressive 2.58 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 300:42 K:BB over 223 innings to earn his second AL Cy Young award.
Jul 9 2020Verlander (groin) threw three hitless innings in a simulated game Thursday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Facing Houston's presumed everyday lineup, minus Yordan Alvarez (undisclosed), Verlander struck out five and did not have a ball leave the infield. The only baserunner against Verlander reached via error. While last year's AL Cy Young winner told manager Dusty Baker last month that he was healthy and free of pain, it's good to see him actually get onto the field and dominate again after undergoing right groin surgery in mid-March. Verlander would appear on track for Opening Day.
Jun 24 2020Verlander (groin/lat) told manager Dusty Baker that he's healthy and pain free, though Baker noted "we don't know yet" about his endurance, Brandon Scott of 610 Sports Radio reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It's not confirmation that Verlander will be ready to go when Opening Day comes around a month from now, but it appears things are trending in that direction. The veteran right-hander underwent right groin surgery in mid-March and also dealt with a lat strain, but he may not end up missing any games due to the shortened season. Verlander has been throwing since April and has been working off a mound since at least mid-June, though the specifics of his workouts remain unclear. More information should be available once players officially report to team facilities next week.
Jun 15 2020Verlander (groin/lat) posted a video Monday on his personal Instagram account featuring him throwing a bullpen session. "Ready. Let's go!!" Verlander captioned the video. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Though the Astros have yet to confirm that Verlander will be ready to pitch when the MLB season resumes, the two-time Cy Young winner's ability to complete a bullpen session suggests he's moved past the groin surgery he required and the mild right lat strain he developed during spring training. Verlander will presumably ramp up the intensity of his throwing sessions at home in the next few weeks before likely reporting back to the Astros with few restrictions, if any, when teams are allowed to reconvene.
Apr 30 2020Verlander said Thursday that he's doing "very well" in his recovery from groin surgery and a right lat strain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "Particularly this week, I've made a big stride forward," Verlander noted, regarding his progression through a throwing program. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander appears to be more concerned about the health of his lat rather than his groin at this juncture, as he noted that he's not quite throwing long toss at 100 percent as a safeguard against re-injuring his lat. The fact that he's pleased with where he stands in his recovery at this stage can at least be taken as a positive sign, and the 37-year-old looks like he'll be on track to make regular starts for Houston whenever the MLB season resumes.
Apr 15 2020Verlander (groin) has begun to throw, Manny Randhawa of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This was Verlander's first baseball activity since undergoing right groin surgery March 17. He first felt groin discomfort early in training camp and later left a spring training start March 3 due to a strained back muscle. "He was having a little trouble on and off, and it kind of messes with your head in spring training when you feel great one day and the next day you don't and the next day you feel back," Astros manager Dusty Baker said. "So this has actually probably been a blessing in disguise for him." The 37-year-old right-hander and reigning American League Cy Young Award winner could be ready when baseball resumes following the coronavirus pandemic.
Mar 30 2020Verlander (groin) is on schedule in his recovery from groin surgery, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Reporters had a conference call Friday with Astros general manager James Click. who relayed Verlander's recovering well and is "ready to get back out there as soon as he possibly can." Verlander underwent right groin surgery March 17 and was given a six-week recovery estimate. Under that schedule, Verlander could be ready to pitch by the time MLB resumes normal operations following the coronavirus pandemic.
Mar 17 2020Verlander underwent surgery on his right groin Tuesday and will be out for six weeks, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander left a spring training game in early March with what was originally called right triceps soreness and was later referred to as a mild lat strain. He had also battled what seemed to be a minor groin issue early in camp, but it's now that issue which is seemingly the larger concern. Verlander will still have to build his arm strength back up following his six-week shutdown, a period which will end in late April. With the start to the season uncertaintain due to the coronavirus pandemic, whether or not he winds up missing any time remains to be seen.
Mar 9 2020Verlander (lat) said Monday that it would "probably take a miracle" for him to be ready to return by Opening Day, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was pulled from his start Sunday against the Mets with an injury which was originally referred to as right triceps soreness but is now being called a mild lat strain. He's been shut down from throwing for an undetermined period, though both he and the Astros have expressed some optimism that he avoided a particularly serious injury. Verlander has only thrown 4.2 innings this spring, so he'll need to complete his spring buildup once he's cleared to throw again.
Mar 8 2020Manager Dusty Baker said Verlander made a precautionary exit from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets due to right triceps soreness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 37-year-old was scheduled to throw four innings but was removed after two frames once the soreness cropped up. The right-hander dealt with a similar injury in 2015 and was unable to make his season debut until June. Baker may have labeled Verlander's removal as precautionary, but there won't be any sort of timetable for his return until the testing is completed.
Mar 4 2020Verlander allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out three over 2.2 innings in Tuesday's spring game against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The results aren't pretty, but Verlander's spring debut wasn't about that. A groin injury slowed him this spring, but the AL's reigning Cy Young Award winner said his leg was not an issue Tuesday. He threw 53 pitches and hit 97 mph on the radar. "Today, first and foremost, was to come out of it feeling good," Verlander told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "Having no issues with the groin. Check. Hoping that the velo's decent, which I think it was for this time of year. Better than normal. I'd have to reference years. I was pretty surprised seeing some of the numbers I saw." The right-hander added that his location and pitch quality are a bit behind, but that's natural after he's been focusing his efforts on getting healthy.
Mar 3 2020Verlander (groin) has been confirmed as the Astros' starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Cardinals, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager Dusty Baker suggested a few days earlier that Verlander was on track to make his spring debut Tuesday, and the veteran right-hander's inclusion on the Astros' lineup card now makes it official. While contending with the minor groin concern, Verlander was still able to throw approximately 30 pitches in a live batting practice session last week, so he's right where he needs to be at this stage of the spring as he prepares for a likely Opening Day starting assignment.
Feb 27 2020Verlander (groin) threw about 30 pitches during a live batting practice session Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander had been scheduled to make his spring game debut Thursday, but he was scratched after reporting discomfort in his right groin earlier this week. "It went about as good as I could've hoped today. Maybe noticed [the groin] just a little bit, but once I got on the mound, tried to pitch and not worry about it so much. It felt really good. Didn't feel it after that. Probably best-case scenario today," said the right-hander. Barring a setback, Verlander is scheduled to start next Tuesday against the Cardinals.
Feb 26 2020The Astros have scratched Verlander ahead of his scheduled Grapefruit League start Thursday against the Nationals due to groin discomfort, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager Dusty Baker said that Verlander will throw a simulated game instead, which suggests the groin issue isn't viewed as anything significant. Assuming he can make it through the simulated game without any renewed soreness, Verlander should slot back into the Grapefruit League pitching schedule next week.
Feb 20 2020Verlander completed his first bullpen session of spring training Tuesday, stating afterward that he's mainly focused on locating his fastball and replicating his mechanics at this stage of camp, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "I felt good," Verlander said. "I threw everything. I definitely wouldn't say everything was working, but I would say it's where it needs to be now." ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After winning his second American League Cy Young Award in 2019 and covering 258.1 innings between the regular season and the playoffs, Verlander said he waited until January to begin his offseason training program in earnest. As a result, Houston will play things slowly with Verlander this spring and will likely limit his use in the Grapefruit League, but there's little doubt that he'll be ready to roll for the March 26 Opening Day game against the Angels.
Nov 13 2019Verlander won the 2019 AL Cy Young Award on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 36-year-old received 17 first-place votes as he narrowly beat out Gerrit Cole, who had 13 first-place votes. Verlander recorded a career-best 0.80 WHIP and 300 strikeouts over 34 starts in 2019 en route to his second career Cy Young Award.
Oct 30 2019Verlander will not pitch in Game 7 of the World Series against the Nationals on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 36-year-old threw 93 pitches over five innings during Game 6 on Tuesday, allowing three earned runs while only managing three strikeouts, and manager A.J. Hinch said that Verlander won't be available out of the bullpen for the winner-take-all Game 7. The right-hander finishes the postseason with a 4.33 ERA and a 1-4 record over 35.1 innings pitched in six appearances.
Oct 29 2019Verlander (0-2) went five innings and gave up three runs on five hits and three walks in Tuesday's 7-2 loss to Washington in Game 6 of the World Series. He struck out three. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: For the second time in the World Series, Verlander came out on the losing end of a battle with Washington's Stephen Strasburg. The pivotal inning for Verlander on Tuesday came in the fifth when he gave up solo blasts to Adam Eaton and Juan Soto that turned a 2-1 lead into a 3-2 deficit. After another brilliant regular season, Verlander did not display the same dominance in the postseason, going 1-4 in six starts with a 4.33 ERA. He gave up eight home runs in 35.1 innings.
Oct 23 2019Verlander (0-1) went six innings in Wednesday's 12-3 loss to Washington in Game 2 of the World Series, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks with six strikeouts. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander gave up a two-run double to Anthony Rendon in the first inning but blanked the Nationals over the next five innings. He came out to start the seventh with the game tied 2-2, but was immediately greeted by a Kurt Suzuki solo blast to lead things off. Verlander followed that with a walk to Victor Robles and Houston manager A.J. Hinch went to his bullpen from there. Verlander hasn't displayed the same dominance in the playoffs that he showed during the regular season, and he's now yielded four runs in three of his last four postseason starts.
Oct 21 2019Verlander will start the second game of the World Series against the Nationals on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander will slot in behind co-ace Gerrit Cole rather than pitching on short rest in Game 1. The veteran has been pitched well but shy of his typical elite level in four starts this postseason, recording a 3.70 ERA in 24.1 innings.
Oct 16 2019Verlander will start Game 5 of the ALCS against the Yankees on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Wednesday's rainout shifted the series schedule around, allowing the Astros to skip what would have been their fourth starer's spot. Zack Greinke starts Game 4 on regular rest Thursday with Verlander pitching on regular rest Friday.
Oct 11 2019Verlander will start Game 2 of the ALCS against the Yankees on Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander could have pitched on short rest for Game 1 on Saturday, but that didn't work out well during the ALDS, when he gave up four runs in 3.2 innings in Game 4. Zack Greinke will start Game 1 of the ALCS. Verlander lines up to start again on short rest in Game 5 on Thursday or with extra rest in Game 6 next Saturday, if either game is necessary.
Oct 9 2019Verlander (1-1) allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings in a loss to Tampa Bay in Game 4 of the ALDS on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Astros decided to start Verlander on short rest and the decision backfired, as his stuff did not look as crisp and the Rays capitalized. Tommy Pham homered in a three-run first inning and Willy Adames followed up with a long ball of his own in the fourth. "You know, the low-hanging fruit is to sit there and say this was short rest, and that's the reason why," Verlander told The Athletic. "But I don't think so. I felt good. My body felt good physically. I just didn't execute the way I needed to." If the Astros get past the Rays, Verlander will likely start Game 2 of the ALCS on Sunday.
Oct 7 2019Verlander will start Game 4 of the ALDS on Tuesday against Tampa Bay, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Astros likely would have preferred to save Verlander for Game 1 of the ALCS, but he'll be needed after they failed to close out the series in Game 3. Verlander will pitch on three days' rest Tuesday after tossing seven scoreless innings in Game 1 on Friday.
Oct 2 2019Verlander was named the starter for Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Oct 2 2019Verlander was named the starter for Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed the 36-year-old as the starter for Game 1 of the ALDS, a move that was widely expected following an effective season. The veteran recorded 300 strikeouts and a 21-6 record over the year. Verlander will face the winner of the American League Wild Card Game.
Sep 28 2019Verlander (21-6) allowed three runs on four hits while striking out 12 over six innings in a win over the Angels on Saturday. He did not issue a walk. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With his fourth-inning punchout of Kole Calhoun, Verlander became just the 18th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to record 3,000 strikeouts. He also reached 300 strikeouts in a single season for the first time in his illustrious career. The 36 homers allowed are something of an eyesore, but Verlander has been the top fantasy pitcher despite those issues. Look for him to get the ball in Game 1 of the ALDS next Friday.
Sep 22 2019Verlander (20-6) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out five batters and earning a win over the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It certainly wasn't as stellar as a usual Verlander start but he got the job done behind Houston's 13-run offensive explosion. The victory gives the 36-year-old his second career 20-win campaign. He'll carry a 2.53 ERA into a road start against the Angels on Saturday.
Sep 17 2019Verlander (19-6) picked up the win against the Rangers on Tuesday, throw six scoreless innings while giving up four hits, striking out eight and walking two in a 4-1 victory for the Astros. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's torrid season continues, with this latest suffocating effort on the mound giving him quality starts in 11 out of his last 13 outings and moving him one victory away from his first 20-win season since 2011. The AL Cy Young frontrunner's numbers are simply ridiculous, with Verlander sporting a 2.50 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and lights-out 283:40 K:BB across 212 innings.
Sep 12 2019Verlander (18-6) took the loss against Oakland on Thursday, tossing six innings and giving up three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out 11. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was uncharacteristically shaky at the outset of the game, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks through three innings. He settled down over his final three frames, however, retiring all nine batters including four by strikeout. Despite the loss, Verlander remains firmly in the lead for the AL Cy Young Award with his 18-6 record, 2.58 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 275:38 K:BB over 206 innings. He'll have a home matchup with Texas on Tuesday in his next scheduled start.
Sep 8 2019Verlander (18-5) picked up the win in Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Mariners, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out seven. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Coming on the heels of his third career no-hitter against the Jays, Verlander showed no ill effects from his elevated workload in that outing, tossing 74 of 102 pitches for strikes while generating 16 swinging strikes to dominate the M's once again. The right-hander leads the majors with his 18 wins, and he'll carry a 2.52 ERA and 264:36 K:BB through 200 innings into his next start Thursday, at home against the A's.
Sep 1 2019Verlander (17-5) threw his third-career no-hitter, pitching a shutout with one walk and 14 strikeouts to earn a victory against the Blue Jays on Sunday.
Aug 28 2019Verlander (16-5) allowed four hits and struck out four over 5.1 scoreless innings to pick up the win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
Aug 21 2019Verlander (15-5) took the loss against the Tigers on Wednesday, despite throwing a complete game while giving up just two hits, striking out 11 and walking none
Aug 16 2019Verlander allowed two runs on four hits while striking out 11 over seven innings in a no-decision Friday versus the Athletics.
Aug 11 2019Verlander surrendered four runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out 11 over five innings Sunday against the Orioles. He didn't factor into the decision.
Aug 4 2019Verlander (15-4) gave up one run on three hits and two walks while striking out 10 through six innings to take the win over the Mariners on Sunday.
Jul 30 2019Verlander (14-4) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up two hits over seven scoreless innings while striking out 13 in a 2-0 victory over Cleveland.
Jul 24 2019Verlander (13-4) recorded 11 strikeouts and allowed only one unearned run on two hits and two walks across six innings to earn the win Wednesday versus the A's.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 24 2019Verlander (13-4) recorded 11 strikeouts and allowed only one unearned run on two hits and two walks across six innings to earn the win Tuesday versus the A's.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 20 2019Verlander (12-4) picked up the win Friday, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings while striking out 12 in a 4-3 victory over the Rangers.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 14 2019Verlander (11-4) allowed two runs on four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts across six innings while earning a victory against the Rangers on Sunday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 5 2019Verlander (10-4) took the loss Friday as the Astros were downed 5-4 by the Angels, allowing four runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over seven innings while striking out six.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 23 2019Verlander (10-3) picked up the win Sunday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out nine.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 18 2019Verlander (9-3) took the loss Tuesday versus the Reds by surrendering four runs on six hits across seven innings. He struck out eight and walked one.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 12 2019Verlander gave up three runs on four hits and no walks while striking out 15 through seven innings in a no-decision against the Brewers on Wednesday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 6 2019Verlander didn't factor into the decision against the Mariners on Thursday, giving up three earned runs on five hits over 6.1 innings, striking out seven and walking none in the Astros' 8-7 extra-innings victory.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 2 2019Verlander (9-2) picked up the win in Saturday's 5-1 victory over the A's, giving up one run on four hits and two walks over eight innings while striking out eight.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 26 2019Verlander (8-2) allowed three runs on six hits and struck out six over seven innings Sunday in a loss to the Red Sox.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 21 2019Verlander (8-1) picked up the win in Tuesday's 5-1 victory over the White Sox, allowing one run on one hit and one walk over eight innings while striking out a season-high 12.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 15 2019Verland (7-1) allowed a run on two hits and two walks, striking out nine batters over seven innings to earn the win in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Tigers.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 11 2019Verlander (6-1) struck out eight and picked up the win in Friday's 3-0 victory over the Rangers, scattering one hit and two walks over seven scoreless innings.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 11 2019Verlander (6-1) picked up the win in Friday's 3-0 victory over the Rangers, scattering one hit and two walks over seven scoreless innings while striking out eight.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 21 2018Verlander (10-5) picked up the win in Saturday's 7-0 victory over the Angels, allowing five hits and two walks over six scoreless innings while striking out 11.Remarkably, it was the right-hander's first win in over a month, as Verlander has gone 0-3 over his previous six starts with an uncharacteristic 4.10 ERA and 1.9 HR/9 in 37.1 innings. He took full advantage of the All-Star break to re-focus, however, generating 18 swinging strikes in 92 pitches and fanning Ian Kinsler and Luis Valbuena with runners on second and third to shut down the Angels' only real threat in the fourth inning. Verlander will take a 2.19 ERA into his next start Saturday at home against the Rangers.
Jul 15 2018Verlander (9-5) threw six innings Sunday, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits while striking out 12 and taking the loss against the Tigers. He struck out 12 and allowed four home runs.John Hicks got things started with a two-run shot off Verlander in the second inning. Verlander would allow three solo homers as the game progressed. On the bright side, the 35-year-old's 12 strikeouts are the second highest he's produced this season and he's fanned 28 batters in just three July starts. He'll carry his 2.29 ERA to Coors Field against the Rockies next Wednesday.
Jul 11 2018Verlander struck out six in six scoreless innings Tuesday against the A's, allowing three hits and zero walks in a no-decision.Verlander allowed a couple extra-base hits but otherwise shut down Oakland's offense on 110 pitches (74 for strikes) before the Astros' bullpen coughed up the lead. With the scoreless outing Verlander's ERA now sits at 2.05 (second best in the majors), while his 0.83 WHIP leads all MLB starters and his .180 batting average against trails only Max Scherzer (.179). The veteran right-hander will look for his 10th win before the All-Star break in a matchup against the Tigers at home.
Jul 5 2018Verlander twirled seven innings Thursday, yielding two runs on four hits while striking out 10 in a 4-3 win over the White Sox. He allowed a home run and failed to factor into the decision.Normally Astros starters don't have a problem with run support, but Verlander wasn't lucky enough to earn a win with the strong outing. The 35-year-old has been so good this season, his ERA actually went up from 2.12 to 2.15 Thursday. At any rate, Verlander's 154:24 K:BB remains tremendous as he pushes forward with his Cy Young campaign. He'll take on Oakland next Tuesday.
Jun 30 2018Verlander (9-4) took the loss Saturday, coughing up five runs on nine hits and a walk over five innings while striking out eight as the Astros fell 5-2 to the Rays.It was his worst start in an Astros uniform since joining the team at last year's trade deadline, with the five-inning stint being his shortest of the season to date. Verlander will still carry an exceptional 2.12 ERA into his next outing Friday at home against the White Sox.
Jun 25 2018Verlander (9-3) allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts through 6.2 innings in a loss Monday to the Blue Jays.Home runs have been an issue for Verlander of late, as he has allowed six in his past four starts after giving up just five through his first 13 outings. The result was the first time all year Verlander has allowed more than three runs, pushing his ERA all the way up to 1.82. As long as Verlander is still missing bats -- he has 32 strikeouts in 32.1 innings in this slightly cold stretch -- there's little reason to worry about him, but he'll need to get over this home run issue to keep pitching like the Cy Young candidate he has been thus far in 2018. He'll try to get back on track Saturday against the Rays.
Jun 22 2018Verlander will start Monday against the Blue Jays, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.The Astros originally pushed Verlander's start from Monday to Sunday -- flipping rotation spots with Gerrit Cole -- but will instead revert to the original configuration with Cole pitching Sunday. Verlander will match up with Toronto for the series opener Monday.
Jun 20 2018Verlander will start Sunday against the Royals, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic Houston reports.With the Astros off the schedule Thursday, Verlander will flip places in the rotation with Gerrit Cole -- who is now slated to pitch Monday against the Blue Jays -- in order to stay on regular rest. Verlander has been absolutely lights out this season, posting a 1.60 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 130:21 K:BB across 16 starts (107 innings), so it makes sense the Astros want to trot him out as often as possible.
Jun 19 2018Verlander did not factor into the decision Tuesday, striking out 10 over 6.2 innings while allowing one run on six hits and a walk against the Rays.Verlander was incredibly sharp all night, inducing 24 swinging strikes and throwing 87 of his season-high 122 pitches for strikes in all. The lone mistake came in the second inning when C.J. Cron served a fastball into the seats in left for a solo blast -- the fourth homer he's allowed in the last three starts. Recent long ball issues aside, Verlander has been dominant all year long, tossing quality starts in all but one of his 16 starts. He'll sport a pristine 1.60 ERA heading into Monday's start against the Blue Jays.
Jun 14 2018Verlander (9-2) threw seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking none in Thursday's 7-3 win over Oakland.It wasn't his sharpest performance, as Verlander allowed a pair of homers on the day, but it gets the job done. At the end of May, the 25-year-old owned a 1.11 ERA, but that number has jumped to a still-incredible 1.61 after Thursday's contest. Verlander will have a very enticing matchup early next week at home against the Rays.
Jun 8 2018Verlander (8-2) struck out nine and walked three in a win over the Rangers on Friday, allowing three runs on five hits in six innings.Verlander gave up a leadoff home run to Shin-Soo Choo and a two-run double to Nomar Mazara, but kept the Astros in the game to pick up his fourth win in his last five starts. Verlander's 1.45 ERA and 0.76 WHIP lead all MLB starters, and his 113 strikeouts are good for fourth in the majors. He'll look to continue his dominance in his next start against the A's in Oakland.
Jun 2 2018Verlander allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings to pick up a no-decision in Saturday's loss to the Red Sox.Verlander was hurt by the walks as both runners came around to score on singles by J.D. Martinez, but he left with a lead after 101 pitches through six innings, before Boston hammered reliever Will Harris for a pair of seventh inning home runs. The Red Sox were pesky and fouled off a ton of pitches, forcing Verlander to expend 44 pitches after two innings. He left the game with a minuscule 1.24 ERA over 87.1 innings and is expected to make his next start Friday against the Rangers in Arlington.
May 28 2018Verlander (7-2) picked up the win Monday as he allowed one run on five hits while striking out five across 6.2 innings against the Yankees.Verlander was spotted a three-run lead in the second inning, and he made it through six scoreless innings until surrendering a solo home run to Greg Bird in the seventh. His outstanding 1.11 ERA leads all of baseball, and he's struck out 98 batters across 81.1 innings. The 35-year-old has also shown excellent command of late, allowing just two walks in his last three starts (21.2 innings). Verlander figures to make his 13th start of the 2018 season Saturday against Boston.
May 23 2018Verlander (6-2) got the win Wednesday, striking out nine over six innings while allowing one run on three hits and a walk.Verlander was locked in, getting ahead with 17 first-pitch strikes to the 22 batters he faced and induced 18 swinging strikes. Even in his age-35 season, he continues to be absolutely lights out, boasting an absurd 1.08 ERA and career-high 11.2 K/9. Verlander has allowed more than one earned run just twice this year -- and more than two only once -- but he'll draw a tough matchup next time out in New York against the Yankees on Monday.
May 17 2018Verlander (5-2) allowed just five hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in a complete game shutout victory Wednesday over the Angels.Verlander has lasted eight innings twice -- April 15 against Texas and May 1 against the Yankees -- but Wednesday marked Verlander's first complete game of 2018 and his first shutout since August 26, 2015 with the Tigers. The fastball was dominant for Verlander, as it topped out at 98.4 mph and induced 10 of his 14 swinging strikes. Even at 35 years old, Verlander is proving he still has the velocity to lock down major league lineups. His ERA is down to a ludicrous 1.05 and he'll look to keep his hot start going Wednesday in an interleague battle against the Giants.
May 12 2018Verlander (4-2) struck out seven and walked two in a loss to the Rangers on Friday, allowing one run on three hits in six innings.Verlander got saddled with a tough-luck loss Friday, getting outdueled by Cole Hamels. The only run he gave up was a sacrifice fly surrendered by reliever Chris Devenski that scored a runner Verlander had allowed on base. Only one time this year has Verlander allowed more than two runs in a start, and he's holding onto an excellent 77:13 K:BB as well as a .146 batting average against. His next start will come against the Angels in Los Angeles.
May 9 2018Verlander will take the mound against Texas on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.Verlander will remain on regular rest as manager A.J. Hinch decided to push Charlie Morton back another day, as the latter will now toe the rubber Saturday. During his latest outing against Arizona on Sunday, Verlander allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out eight over six innings, and picked up his first loss of the season. Through eight starts in 2018, he's posted a 1.17 ERA and 0.71 WHIP with a 70:11 K:BB in 53.2 innings.
Apr 25 2018Verlander (4-0) allowed two runs on four hits while striking out nine batters across seven innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Angels.Verlander was in cruise control for the majority of this one. He didn't allow a baserunner until the fifth inning, and he retired 20 of the first 21 batters he faced before running into some trouble with two outs in the seventh inning. The veteran right-hander allowed a solo homer to Albert Pujols before a pair of hits from Andrelton Simmons and Zack Cozart pulled the Angels within two, but he was able to gather himself and end the inning before any other damage was done by getting Luis Valbuena to fly out. Verlander will look to stay undefeated as he carries an impressive 1.36 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB into his next start, which figures to come Tuesday against the Yankees.
Apr 21 2018Verlander (3-0) struck out five, walked three, and allowed just two hits over six scoreless innings in Friday's win over the White Sox.The two hits allowed were both singles. Verlander was at 96 pitches through six innings, and Houston had a nine-run lead by then, so manager A.J. Hinch handed the rest of the game over to the bullpen. This was the third time in five starts that Verlander hasn't allowed a run in at least six innings of work. He's brought his ERA down to 1.10 to go along with a 39:8 K:BB in 32.2 innings. Up next is a matchup with the Angels at home.
Apr 15 2018Verlander (2-0) allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out 11 as he took a no-decision Sunday against the Rangers.Verlander put together an outstanding performance, but was unable to factor into the decision with Bartolo Colon carrying a perfect game into the eighth inning. He's sporting a 1.35 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with 34 strikeouts across 26.2 innings in his first four starts of the season. Verlander will look to keep it rolling in his next start, which figures to come Thursday against the Mariners.
Apr 9 2018Verlander (2-0) tossed seven scoreless innings as he earned the win Monday against the Twins, allowing four hits and one walk with nine strikeouts.Verlander was outstanding in this one, throwing first-pitch strikes to 16 batters while inducing 13 swinging strikes. He gave up a pair of doubles, but the veteran otherwise kept a competent lineup at bay as he dropped his ERA down to 1.45. Verlander has picked up right where he left off last season, compiling an 11.1 K/9 and a 0.96 WHIP ahead of Sunday's scheduled start against the Rangers.
Apr 3 2018Verlander gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits over 5.2 innings, striking out nine and walking one in a no decision in Houston's 10-6 victory over Baltimore on Tuesday.Verlander wasn't at his absolute sharpest on Tuesday, giving up home runs to Jonathan Schoop and Adam Jones, but he still managed to post a solid stat line in limiting to the damage to three earned runs and logging nine strikeouts. He's looked every bit like his old dominant self for the Astros since his arrival to the club last year and he's got a 2.31 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP through his first two starts in 2018.
Mar 29 2018Verlander (1-0) pitched six scoreless innings with five strikeouts to earn the win over the Rangers on Thursday. He allowed just four hits and two walks.It took the veteran 90 pitches to breeze through six frames against an admirable Texas lineup, and including the postseason, he's now 10-1 in a Houston uniform. Verlander is positioned to rack up a huge win total with an excellent offense supplying run support, a solid defense behind him and a pitcher-friendly home park. Additionally, after posting a 1.95 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 10.7 K/9 in the second half last season, there's a lot to like about Verlander's fantasy upside moving forward.
Mar 19 2018Verlander allowed five singles and a walk while striking out three over seven scoreless innings in Monday's start against the Mets.Verlander was regular-season mode Monday, in command of his pitches and throwing strikes on 64 of 88 pitches. He never allowed more than one baserunner in an inning, and only once did a runner get to second base. He'll get one more spring start before he takes the ball Opening Day, but it will be a shorter outing. We'll back off a little bit [in] the next outing," manager A.J. Hinch told Glenn Sattell of MLB.com reports.
Mar 14 2018Verlander allowed three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four over five innings in Wednesday's start against the Cardinals.Verlander entered the games having allowed one run all spring before the Cardinals touched him for a pair of home runs Wednesday. He told Oliver Macklin of MLB.com that he was working on his pitches and threw some pitch sequences he wouldn't normally throw during the regular season. Despite the ugly results, Verlander felt he took another step in the right direction toward the regular season.
Mar 10 2018Verlander allowed one run on two hits with no walks while striking out eight over five innings and 61 pitches in Friday's game against the Cardinals, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.Verlander said following the game he's pleased where he's at after making his third start of the spring. The 35-year-old right-hander's goal is to get to around 95 pitches by his final spring start -- he's scheduled for three more starts before the regular season. Over three spring starts, Verlander has given up just one run and struck out 17 over 10 innings.
Mar 5 2018Manager A.J. Hinch announced Monday that Verlander will start for the Astros on Opening Day, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.Verlander will get the ball over Dallas Keuchel, who has toed the rubber for Houston on Opening Day in each of the previous three seasons. The 35-year-old will look to pick up where he left off in his first full season in Houston; he went 5-0 while posting a 1.06 ERA and 43:5 K:BB across 34 innings after being acquired by the Astros at the trade deadline last year.
Mar 3 2018Verlander allowed two hits and struck out five over three innings Saturday against the Nationals, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.Verlander made his second start of the spring and was sharp for a second straight outing, throwing 28 of 38 pitches for strikes. He was so efficient that he did not reach his goal of 50 pitches. Verlander's struck out nine batters over five scoreless spring innings.
Feb 26 2018Verlander struck out four of six batters faced in Monday's game against the Mets.Verlander's location was on point, hitting the strike zone on 20 of his 28 pitches. His bread-and-butter remains a mid-to-upper 90s fastball, but the 35-year-old right-hander told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com that he needs to work on his curveball and changeup. The changeup, in particular, has been vexing for Verlander, who said he was tinkering with a split-fingered grip.
Oct 22 2017Verlander will start Wednesday in Game 2 of the Astros' World Series matchup with the Dodgers, Matt Kelly of MLB.com reports.Fresh off being named the American League Championship Series MVP following the Astros' seven-game triumph over the Yankees, Verlander will have a short turnaround to try and keep a powerful Dodgers offense at bay. During the ALCS, Verlander followed up a complete-game, 13-strikeout effort in Game 2 with seven shutout innings in a Game 6 victory.
Oct 19 2017Verlander will start Game 6 of the ALCS against the Yankees on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.This is why Houston acquired Verlander at the end of August. With the Astros down 3-2 in a best-of-seven set, Verlander will get the ball as he looks to keep the team's World Series hopes alive. He tossed a complete game gem in Game 2 of the ALCS against New York, striking out 13 batters and allowing just one run on five hits and a walk to earn the win.
Oct 11 2017Verlander was named the starter for Game 2 of the ALCS on Saturday, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports.Dallas Keuchel will take the mound for Game 1 as the two aces switch spots in the order for this series, following Verlander's relief appearance during Game 4 of the ALDS against the Red Sox on Monday. The right-hander should be well-rested and ready to go, and will likely be in line for a Game 6 start Oct. 20, if the series lasts that long.
Oct 3 2017Verlander will start Game 1 of the NLDS on Thursday against the Red Sox.Verlander gets the ball in Game 1 and Dallas Keuchel will start in Game 2, as the former's excellent run since joining the Astros (1.06 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, 43 strikeouts in 34 innings) was enough to give him the edge in the postseason rotation. Given Verlander's famed durability and ability to hold his stuff deep into starts, it's possible that he will be called upon in Game 4 if the Astros are up against the ropes.
Sep 27 2017Verlander (15-8) allowed two runs on six hits while striking out 11 batters through six innings to take the win against Texas on Wednesday.Verlander has now won five consecutive games since joining Houston, and he's also done in it impressive fashion with just four runs allowed while striking out 43 batters through 34 innings. He'll take a high-end 3.36 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 into the postseason, as the 34-year-old veteran pursues a championship to add to his already lengthy list of accolades.
Sep 24 2017Verlander indicated his changeup last Friday was the best its been in his four starts with the Astros, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.Verlander threw the changeup just three times during Friday's start, but all resulted in strikes. He hasn't thrown more than three changeups in a start since July 24 and has thrown it just four percent of time all season. Despite being dominant since joining Houston -- a 0.64 ERA in 28 innings as an Astro -- Verlander feels the need to add another weapon and has been working to incorporate a changeup with pitching coach Brent Strom. Given his success since joining the Astros, it's hard to imagine how much better Verlander could be with another weapon.
Sep 22 2017Verlander (14-8) pitched seven scoreless innings with just a hit and two walks allowed while striking out six batters to take the win against the Angels on Friday.The veteran righty has now won all four of his starts as an Astro while allowing just two runs through 28 innings. It's an impressive stretch for Verlander, and he could prove to be the high-end arm that puts Houston over the top in the postseason. He's now sporting a 3.38 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9.4 K/9 for the season, after all. Verlander lines up to make his final start of the regular season against Texas at Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Sep 17 2017Verlander (13-8) beat the Mariners on Sunday, holding them to one run on three hits with one walk and 10 strikeouts in seven innings.Verlander's made quite an impression on his new club, going 3-0 in three starts while allowing only two runs and posting a 26:3 K:BB over 21 innings since being acquired from Detroit. The 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young award winner clearly has plenty left in the tank at age 34 and is quickly putting himself back in the conversation with the game's elites. Expect another gem at home Saturday against the Angels.
Sep 12 2017Verlander (12-8) held the Angels scoreless over eight innings Tuesday, allowing just a single hit, a walk and a hit batsman to take home a 1-0 win. He struck out nine.His first two starts as an Astro have been masterpieces, but Verlander's hot streak actually stretches back into early July -- over his last 13 starts, the veteran righty has put up a 100:22 K:BB alongside a 2.05 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. Verlander has won seven of his last eight decisions, and with a soft matchup coming up Sunday against a Seattle club that he's held to five earned runs over the course of four starts (26.1 innings) this season, there's no reason to expect him to slow down now.
Sep 6 2017Verlander (11-8) allowed one run on six hits and a walk while striking out seven over six innings in Houston's 3-1 win over Seattle on Tuesday.The Mariners put up some long at-bats early against Verlander, running his pitch count to 103 before manager A.J. Hinch shook his hand after six innings. The newest Astro had to be sharp as Seattle's Ariel Miranda didn't allow a hit over six innings. With the score tied in the top of the seventh, Verlander's former and once-again current teammate, Cameron Maybin, launched a two-run homer, giving the starter his first win in an Astros uniform. It was reminiscent of an early-season game when Houston was the best team in the majors: a starter keeps the game close until the resilient offense picks him up in the later innings. Verlander and his fantasy owners will appreciate that type of support. With a day off and a doubleheader coming up necessitating some tweaks in the rotation, Verlander's next start is not expected until next Tuesday's series opener in Anaheim.
Sep 1 2017Verlander will make his debut for the Astros on Tuesday in Seattle, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.There was a late blockbuster prior to the August trade deadline, sending Verlander to Houston in exchange for three quality prospects (Franklin Perez, Daz Cameron, Jake Rogers), with the Astros also receiving $16 million to help offset the money remaining on his contract. He retains a full no-trade clause as part of the deal, and the Astros agreed to waive his vesting option for the 2020 season, meaning Verlander will become a free agent after the 2019 season. Verlander's value shouldn't change much the rest of the way, as he should gain run support, but is also moving to a worse defensive club. He has a 2.41 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 78 strikeouts in 67.1 innings since the All-Star break.
Aug 31 2017Verlander was traded to the Astros on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.The Astros stood pat at the non-waiver deadline in late-July and did not make any moves to bolster their rotation. However, a disappointing August forced the club to reconsider its plans and add an ace for the playoff push by acquiring Verlander. The veteran ace not only adds a front-end arm to Houston's rotation, but also plenty of postseason experience to a young team. Verlander has been sharp since the All-Star break, posting a 2.41 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP and a 10.4 K/9 rate over 10 starts. He'll slot in behind Dallas Keuchel to make one of the best one-two combinations in baseball.
Aug 30 2017Trade interest in Verlander has increased this week and he could still be dealt before Thursday's waiver trade deadline, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.Verlander was not dealt before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, but the Houston Astros reportedly showed some interest then and are still interested now. Morosi notes that a second unknown team has also joined the mix. Verlander's contract ($28 million owed in both 2018 and 2019, and a $22 million option for 2020) makes him a challenging piece to move, but a trade to a contender could give him more opportunities to snag wins the rest of the fantasy season.
Aug 30 2017Verlander (10-8) picked up the win against the Rockies on Wednesday, allowing only one run on three hits and a walk over six innings while striking out nine.Charlie Blackmon's solo homer in the sixth inning was the only blemish on a dominant performance by Verlander, made more impressive by the fact that it came at Coors Field. The veteran righty even added his first career RBI on a single in the second inning to kick off the scoring for the Tigers. Trade rumors are swirling once again around Verlander, and it's no wonder considering he's fired quality starts in seven of his last eight outings, posting a 2.41 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 64:12 K:BB in 56 innings over that stretch. If the 34-year-old is still in a Detroit uniform, his next start will come Monday at home against the Royals.
Aug 30 2017Verlander said he felt some fatigue in his trapezius muscle during Wednesday's win over the Rockies, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports. When asked if he was concerned about the issue, Verlander said, "no. No, no no."Verlander believes the issue cropped up while he was hitting, but he didn't seem worried about the soreness, saying "I'll take it for an RBI." The issue didn't seem to hinder his effectiveness, as he limited the Rockies to one run on three hits through six innings while striking out nine. Unless something goes wrong this week, it appears Verlander is in line to make his next scheduled start Monday against the Royals.
Aug 26 2017Verlander allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out eight over seven innings Friday but came away with a no-decision in a 3-2 loss to the White Sox.The veteran righty now sports a 2.49 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 69:15 K:BB in 61.1 innings since the All-Star break, and he continues to make contending teams who passed on the chance to trade for him at the deadline regret their decision. Despite his current form Verlander will be a risky fantasy play next week, as he takes the mound in Coors Field on Wednesday.
Aug 20 2017Verlander (9-8) allowed one run over eight innings and struck out nine batters while picking up a win Sunday against the Dodgers.Verlander was nothing short of terrific Sunday, as he shut down one of the league's most powerful offenses en route to a victory. His only mistake came in the sixth inning when Curtis Granderson managed to hit a solo home run off the righty. Otherwise, he was dominant as he allowed a mere two hits and walked just a single batter. Verlander will look to carry his momentum into a favorable matchup against the White Sox on Saturday.
Aug 16 2017Verlander (8-8) took the loss against the Rangers on Tuesday, allowing five runs on eight hits -- including three home runs -- over six innings while striking out eight.The veteran righty fired 77 of 114 pitches for strikes, but a four-run fourth inning highlighted by an upper-deck blast from Joey Gallo saddled Verlander with his first loss in a month and snapped a streak of five straight quality starts. He still has an impressive 2.72 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 10.1 K/9 since the All-Star break, but Verlander will get a tough matchup in his next outing Sunday at home against the Dodgers.
Aug 15 2017The Tigers and Astros have been discussing a trade involving Verlander, although a deal remains a "long shot," Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.The two teams discussed a deal before the July 31 deadline, but nothing came of the chatter. Verlander's contract ($28 million owed in both 2018 and 2019, and a $22 million option for 2020) was reportedly a stumbling block at the time, so conceivably the Tigers would have to eat a decent portion of his salary. But to do that, the team may ask for prospects that Houston isn't willing to part with, which is why sources believe a gap still remains between the teams. Verlander is scheduled to take the mound for the Tigers Tuesday against the Rangers.
Aug 9 2017Verlander (8-7) was masterful in Wednesday's win over the Pirates, allowing just one hit while walking three and striking out six over eight shutout innings.Verlander had a no-hitter going until there were two outs in the sixth, but a Josh Bell double ended his bid. Manager Brad Ausmus elected not to give Verlander a chance at the complete game shutout, pulling him after eight innings and 113 pitches with the team up 10-0. Still, the 34-year-old righty seems to have found the fountain of youth judging by his last three starts. Over that stretch, Verlander's 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA and 22:6 K:BB in 21 innings. He'll need to be at the top of his game once again to find success in his next start Monday in Texas.
Aug 4 2017Verlander (7-7) allowed two runs on six hits while striking out 10 across seven innings to earn the win Friday against the Orioles.Verlander allowed solo homers in the second and third innings, but otherwise was masterful, and though he left the contest with a 2-1 deficit, the offense came up with four runs in the top of the eighth inning to help them earn his seventh victory of the season. He's now held opponents scoreless in back-to-back starts while firing quality starts in each of his last four outings to lower his ERA to 4.20. He could be rounding into top form just in time to help fantasy owners for the stretch run. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Pirates.
Aug 3 2017Verlander was placed on revocable waivers Wednesday, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports.This does not necessarily mean Verlander will change clubs. Many, if not most, major-league players are exposed to this process following the non-waiver trade deadline, and the club could even pull him back if he's claimed. Also, as a 10-and-5 player, Verlander has a full no-trade clause. On top of all this, he's due $56 million across 2018 and 2019. There's plenty of risk in an organization taking on that commitment to receive what looks like waning production. Verlander, who turns 35 next season, holds a 4.29 ERA with a 22.1 strikeout percentage and a career-worst 10.5 percent walk rate.
Jul 31 2017The Tigers said they will not be trading Verlander before Monday's deadline and will examine his market during the winter, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.It appears nothing significant has materialized, so unless Detroit is overwhelmed in the waning hours before the 4 p.m. EDT cutoff, Verlander will remain a Tiger. The club and his fantasy owners can only hope his Sunday gem (six scoreless innings) is a sign of better things to come in the second half.
Jul 30 2017Verlander (6-7) picked up the win Sunday against the Astros. He pitched six scoreless innings, giving up five hits and three walks. He struck out six.Detroit hitters produced 13 runs in this one, giving Verlander more than enough to work with. The veteran hurler has now gone at least six innings and allowed three earned runs or less in three straight starts, and he's struck out 23 batters over 20 innings during the stretch. Trade rumors have been swirling around Verlander, but if he remains in Detroit past Monday's deadline, his next start is slated for Friday in Baltimore.
Jul 24 2017Verlander allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out nine batters through seven innings during Monday's loss to Kansas City. He didn't factor into the decision.Verlander had allowed three runs or fewer in nine of his previous 10 starts with a respectable 4.18 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 8.5 K/9, and those numbers are inflated by a single tough outing July 2 against Cleveland (seven runs allowed through just 3.1 innings). Verlander's name has been included in plenty of rumors leading into the trade deadline, so there are some potential unknowns ahead, but a relocation to a contender would probably benefit the veteran's fantasy value. Barring a deal, Verlander projects to face the Astros at Comerica Park in his next start.
Jul 20 2017Verlander gave up two runs on six hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out eight but had to settle for a no-decision in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Royals.If the veteran right-hander was auditioning for other teams as the trade deadline approaches he made a great impression, firing 78 of 107 pitches for strikes while delivering his 11th quality start of the year. Barring a change in uniform before then, Verlander will get a rematch with the Royals back home in Detroit on Monday.
Jul 14 2017Verlander (5-7) allowed three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings to take the loss Friday against the Blue Jays.Verlander started out strong, as he fired four shutout innings, before struggling in his final two innings of work. He's allowed at least three earned runs in four of his last five outings, and his 4.66 ERA makes him a shaky fantasy option. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Royals.
Jul 13 2017The Tigers are not actively shopping Verlander but could get talked into moving him by the July 31 trade deadline, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.It was previously reported that the Cubs had inquired about Verlander, but their acquisition of Jose Quintana on Thursday likely closes that door. Verlander is owed $70 million through 2019, so any potential trade partner will likely need to take on a lot of salary and offer up prospects similar to those the Cubs gave up for Quintana (Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease).
Jul 8 2017Verlander (5-6) gave up one run on six hits and four walks while striking out six over 6.2 innings in Saturday's loss to the Indians. Two of the walks were intentional.It was a strong bounce-back effort from Verlander, who allowed seven runs over 3.1 innings against this same club his last time out, but his offense couldn't get anything going against Mike Clevinger and company. While Verlander finishes the first half with a 4.73 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 104.2 innings, he does have three quality starts in his last five turns. The 34-year-old is already the subject of trade rumors and those figure to only grow louder as the deadline approaches, though it's believed the Tigers' asking price is very high.
Jul 4 2017The Cubs have inquired about the availability of Verlander, though the two sides have not engaged in negotiations, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.Morosi also noted that the Cubs had a scout at Verlander's most recent start on Sunday, when he got shelled for seven runs in 3.1 innings. However, Buster Olney of ESPN reports that the Tigers will want a huge return if they move their ace, and he's also owed $70 million through 2019. Expect trade talks to continue swirling around Verlander up until the trade deadline, though the big price tag could make him hard to move.
Jul 2 2017Verlander (5-5) was shelled for seven runs on nine hits and three walks across 3.1 innings in Sunday's loss to the Indians. He did not record a strikeout.Verlander constantly worked with men on base during this short outing, and some timely home runs by the Cleveland offense accounted for the bulk of the damage against him. The seven earned runs were his second-highest mark of the season and this was the first time since the 2006 season that he did not record a punchout in an outing of any duration. Verlander had been throwing the ball relatively well prior to this shellacking, giving up no more than three earned runs in any of his last six outings, and he will look to bounce back Saturday as he takes a 4.96 ERA into his matchup with the Indians.
Jun 27 2017Verlander (5-4) allowed three runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out six over seven innings in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Royals.He settled down after Kansas City hung three runs on him in the first innings, giving the Detroit offense a chance to come back. It was his ninth quality start of the season, and Verlander will take a 4.47 ERA into his next start Sunday at home against Cleveland.
Jun 21 2017Verlander struck out 11 Mariners over 5.2 innings while allowing three runs on four hits and a walk in a no-decision Wednesday.That line doesn't properly reflect what happened in this outing. Verlander carried a perfect game into the sixth inning, lost it on Jarrod Dyson's bunt hit, and promptly fell apart, ultimately failing to escape the frame. Fortunately, he at least showed better control in this one after walking a dozen batters in his past three outings and 42 in 82 innings to start the year. Verlander's strikeout ability and history of dominance are tantalizing, but his decline in control has been a major liability, as it's resulted in hideous rate stats.
Jun 15 2017Verlander allowed two runs on six hits and five walks while striking out six batters through seven innings during Thursday's win against Tampa Bay. He didn't factor into the decision.Verlander has been excellent at home this season and has held opponents to just nine earned runs through 37 innings. However, his road struggles (7.22 ERA) have been a major blemish on his overall results. Verlander projects to make his next start against the Mariners at Safeco Park, and it might be wise to consider the options of benching him if the luxury exists.
Jun 13 2017Verlander will make his next start Thursday against the Rays, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.Verlander was originally scheduled to start Friday, but he'll slide up a day to allow Michael Fulmer (shoulder) to move back to start Saturday. This puts the Tigers' ace in line to face Tampa Bay right-hander Alex Cobb.
Jun 10 2017Verlander (4-4) allowed three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three batters over five innings against the Red Sox on Saturday. He did not factor into the decision in the Tigers' 11-3 loss.A groin issue cut Verlander's last outing short, and while he was cleared to return Saturday, it was more of the same from the veteran right-hander. He labored through a 39-pitch third inning and was chased after five as he was unable to put hitters away. "It seems to be the general theme this year," Verlander told Jason Beck of MLB.com. "I need to find a way to get guys to swing and miss or put it in play weakly. Fouling balls off right now, it's killing me. It's extending at-bats. Guys are finding a way to have 10-pitch at-bats, and then if they happen to get on, they're spoiling really good pitches."
Jun 9 2017Verlander (groin) is expected to take the mound for Saturday's contest against the Red Sox, Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reports.Verlander and the Tigers have been optimistic that he will be set to pitch all week, and it now appears as though he will be good to go for Saturday's battle against Chris Sale and Boston. The right-hander threw a side session Thursday without suffering any setbacks, appearing ready for action after leaving Sunday's affair with tightness in his groin. If anything changes before game time Saturday, Drew VerHagen would likely be called upon in his stead.
Jun 8 2017Verlander (groin) is still in line for pitching Saturday after throwing a side session Thursday, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.The Tigers are optimistic that Verlander will be able to go Saturday, but Drew VerHagen is likely to take his place in the event that he can not. Another option for Detroit would be to move Daniel Norris up a start, but VerHagen seems to be the best bet. The right-hander also threw off flat ground Wednesday, and there were no red flags from either completed session. With positive results stemming from his MRI, there should be no reason for serious concern even if Verlander misses a start or lands on the disabled list.
Jun 7 2017Verlander (groin) was able to throw off flat ground Wednesday, but the Tigers have yet to determine whether he'll be able to make his next start Saturday against the Red Sox, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.The Tigers likely won't make a call on Verlander's status for the weekend until he completes his usual pre-start bullpen session Thursday. An earlier MRI ruled out any structural damage for Verlander, so if he's forced to miss time, it's unlikely that he would be in store for a lengthy absence.
Jun 5 2017An MRI on Verlander's groin came back clean, and the Tigers will determine his next start sometime later in the week, Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reports.Verlander departed Sunday's start with tightness in his groin, but the Tigers can breathe a sigh of relief after Monday's MRI revealed no structural damage. The team stated Sunday that the hope is that Verlander will be able to make his next start, but when, exactly, that could be won't be revealed until later in the week. Prior to exiting Sunday, Verlander allowed two runs on six hits over just 2.0 innings of work.
Jun 4 2017Verlander was removed in the third inning of his start Sunday against the White Sox due to right groin tightness.The Tigers labeled Verlander's removal as precautionary and the right-hander didn't look to be in much pain when he left the game, so if he's able to toss a bullpen session in the coming days without any complications, he should be good to go for his next scheduled start Friday against the Red Sox. Even if Verlander had been able to shake off the groin issue and remain in the game Sunday, he may have only hurt fantasy owners, as he clearly wasn't himself on the mound. He needed 72 pitches to record six outs, giving up two runs on six hits and three walks along the way.
Jun 4 2017Verlander was removed from his start Sunday against the White Sox in the top of the third inning due to an undisclosed issue, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. He was charged with two runs on six hits and three walks over two innings and struck out three batters.The Tigers sent out the team trainer to visit Verlander on the mound on two occasions during the afternoon, with the right-hander ultimately departing after the second meeting. Verlander wasn't limping off the field and didn't see a significant dip in his velocity during the outing, so while he'll presumably be evaluated in the locker room, the team is hopeful that any physical issue that may have been afflicting the former Cy Young winner is a minor one. As the stat line illustrates, Verlander was laboring through the start before his departure, needing 72 pitches (49 strikes) to record six outs.
Jun 4 2017The Tigers hope to have Verlander (groin) make his next scheduled start, Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reports.Verlander was sent for an MRI after leaving Sunday's outing with tightness in his groin. Early indications suggest that the injury isn't serious, but there will be more clarity on his status in the lead-up to his next scheduled start. Verlander was tagged for two runs on six hits over 2.0 innings before being pulled by manager Brad Ausmus on Sunday. Coming into Sunday, Verlander had allowed three-or-more runs in four of his previous five outings.
May 31 2017Verlander will now pitch Saturday against the White Sox, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.With an off-day coming for the Tigers Thursday, Verlander will simply push his next scheduled start forward by a day so he pitches on regular rest. Verlander, who has compiled a 4.50 ERA and a 63:30 K:BB through 68 innings (11 starts) this season, will now face David Holmberg in his next start.
May 31 2017Verlander (4-4) allowed only one run on six hits and a walk while striking out five over seven innings in Tuesday's 1-0 loss to the Royals.It's the third time this season the veteran righty has fired at least seven innings while giving up one run or less, but remarkably he doesn't have a win in any of them. Verlander will get a couple extra days rest before taking the mound again next Tuesday at home against the Angels.
May 31 2017Verlander will now pitch Sunday against the White Sox, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.With an off-day coming for the Tigers Thursday, Verlander will simply push his next scheduled start forward by two days so he pitches on regular rest. Verlander, who has compiled a 4.50 ERA and a 63:30 K:BB through 68 innings (11 starts) this season, will now face David Holmberg in his next start.
May 26 2017Verlander (4-3) struggled in a no-decision against the Astros on Thursday. He went 5.2 innings and gave up six runs (all earned) on nine hits and three walks. He struck out four.Walks and home runs plagued Verlander, as he allowed three of each to a strong Houston lineup. The veteran is not matching last season's stats so far, as he has a 4.87 ERA and 1.41 WHIP though his first 10 starts (3.04 ERA, 1.00 WHIP in 2016). He'll look to turn it around on Tuesday against Kansas City, which projects as a much easier matchup.
May 15 2017Verlander (3-3) allowed four runs (all earned) over six innings and took the loss in Sunday's game against the Angels. He gave up five hits and five walks, and struck out seven.Verlander struggled with his control and walked at least five batters in a game for the second time this season. The veteran's BB/9 is up to 4.66, which would be a career worst and is more than double his rate from 2016. The strikeouts are still there, and Verlander's average fastball is actually up a tick from 93.5 MPH in 2016 to 94.8 MPH this season. That suggests that if he can limit the walks moving forward, Verlander could approach his 3.04 ERA, 254 strikeouts and 16 wins from a season ago. He lines up to face the Rangers at home Saturday in his next start.
May 10 2017Verlander (3-2) gave up three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out seven over six innings in Tuesday's 7-3 win over the Diamondbacks.He ran into only one bad stretch, as Arizona scored three times in the third inning, but otherwise it was smooth sailing for the Detroit ace. Verlander will look to continue chipping away at his 4.25 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in his next start Sunday on the road against the Angels.
May 2 2017Verlander (2-2) allowed two runs on four hits and four walks across seven innings during Tuesday's win over the Indians. He struck out five.Verlander loaded the bases and yielded a run on a wild pitch in the first, but he settled down and cruised through six more frames, allowing one more run in the sixth. He threw 118 pitches and induced 14 flyouts, which is a bit extreme, but he was able to keep them all in the yard. Verlander has now delivered back-to-back quality starts after two ugly outings in mid-April and will look to improve on his 4.21 ERA in Sunday's start against the Athletics.
Apr 28 2017Verlander credited a mechanical adjustment for his boost in velocity during his seven-inning, eight-strikeout shutout effort Thursday against the Mariners, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. He's also ignoring his changeup.Verlander wouldn't go into specifics of what he recently changed, but he said he watched video of how he pitched during his pre-injury seasons, and it seemed to help Thursday. "Even last start ... I knew pretty much right as soon as I started throwing that my arm felt cleaner," he said. MLB's Statcast data website, Baseball Savant, said 55 of the lanky hurler's 118 pitches came out at 95 mph or harder. He touched 98.5 mph twice and averaged 95.6 mph on his fastball, which he threw 70 times. The veteran also has thrown only 17 changeups in 525 total pitches this year and avoided the pitch altogether Thursday. Thursday's outing marked a promising sign for the ace's immediate future. Fantasy owners may have missed their window to buy low after Verlander's brief struggles, but it's still worth a try.
Apr 22 2017Verlander (1-2) gave up four runs on three hits and six walks over five innings in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Twins. He struck out four.He held Minnesota off the board for five innings before things completely unraveled in the sixth, as Verlander walked the first three batters he faced before giving up a two-run single to Robbie Grossman that chased him from the game. The 34-year-old has now given up 13 runs in his last two starts, bloating his ERA to 6.04 and his WHIP to 1.52, but his average fastball velocity remains strong at 94.4 mph and Verlander's track record suggests he'll right the ship and go on a dominant run eventually. His next start comes Thursday at home against the Mariners.
Apr 15 2017Verlander (1-1) was rocked in a losing effort Saturday against the Indians. He went four innings, and gave up 11 hits and nine earned runs. He struck out four.After two good outings to start the season, Verlander had a stinker on Saturday. He's still one of the better starters in the American League, and he should get back on track Friday in Minnesota.
Apr 10 2017Verlander (1-0) allowed one run (none earned) on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts across even innings en route to a no-decision Monday against the Red Sox. He struck out four.Verlander struggled to throw strikes at times and needed 112 pitches to make it through seven innings, but the only real trouble he faced came in the second inning when an error led to the bases loading, at which point a double-play resulted in the only run for the visitors. Chris Sale was equally dominant on the other end, costing Verlander any chance he had to earn his second win. Still, the early results have been excellent and he will look to keep it going Saturday against the Indians.
Apr 5 2017Verlander is now scheduled to start Monday against the Red Sox.Wednesday's postponement -- the second in three days for the Tigers and White Sox -- means Verlander will miss out on two starts during the opening week of the season. However, he now lines up for two during the second week, with a road matchup at Cleveland following the home matchup against Boston. Verlander allowed two runs over 6.1 innings in his 2017 debut, striking out 10 en route to the win.
Apr 4 2017Verlander allowed two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.1 innings while striking out 10 in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the White Sox.Monday's rainout didn't seem to phase the Tigers ace at all, as the 34-year-old fired 66 of 102 pitches for strikes and could easily have had his second run ruled unearned after JaCoby Jones misplayed a Melky Cabrera bloop hit into what was called a double. Verlander's next outing is still set for Sunday at home against Boston, so Monday's postponement won't cost him a two-start week to begin the season.
Apr 3 2017Verlander will start Tuesday against the White Sox following Monday's rainout, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.The game will begin at 2:10 PM Eastern time, with Verlander squaring off against Jose Quintana. Verlander posted a 3.16 ERA and 19:7 K:BB in 25.2 spring innings after finishing as the runner up in the AL Cy Young Award voting in 2016.
Apr 3 2017Verlander is making his ninth Opening Day start for the Tigers Monday, but his career record in openers is just 1-1, Brendan Savage of MLive.com reports.Verlander's career Opening Day ERA is 4.73. Last year, he recorded a quality start by going six innings and allowing three earned runs to the Marlins, but Francisco Rodriguez blew the save. Regardless of how Verlander does on Monday, he should rack up plenty of wins and serve as an elite fantasy starter in 2017.
Mar 24 2017Verlander pitched six innings in Thursday's spring training loss to the Braves, allowing just two hits and one earned run. He struck out four.Verlander looks locked in, as he now has his spring training ERA down to 1.99. Just two years ago, it seemed like maybe Verlander was hitting the downswing of his career, as he posted a 4.54 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. But the 34-year-old had a resurgence in 2016, posting a 3.04 ERA and 1.00 WHIP, and striking out 254 in 227.2 innings. Verlander doesn't have the velocity he once did, but he's been able to adjust and he remains a top-tier fantasy starter heading into 2017.
Mar 7 2017Verlander went three innings in Tuesday's spring training loss to the Phillies, allowing four hits and one earned run. He struck out two.After giving up three earned runs over two innings in his last start Thursday, this was a better outing for Verlander. The veteran has said he's more concerned with working on his pitches than the results, so fantasy owners shouldn't read too much into his spring training starts regardless of the outcome. He'll be ready to go for the regular season.
Mar 3 2017Verlander said he wasn't hitting his spots in Thursday's spring training start, in which he gave up three earned runs over two innings, the Detroit Free Press reports."I'm not concerned with the results right now," Verlander said. "I'm concerned with the results of my pitches. I'm not concerned with the results of what those guys do with the ball when they put it in play." Fantasy owners shouldn't be concerned either, as pitchers often take a little time to get rolling in spring training. Verlander should be an elite fantasy pitching option this season.
Jan 23 2017Manager Brad Ausmus confirmed over the weekend that Verlander will start Opening Day against the White Sox, the Detroit Free Press reports.Verlander's appointment does not come as a surprise, as he will start Opening Day for the ninth time in his career, the second most in team history behind only Jack Morris. Verlander had one of the best seasons of his career in 2016, finishing 16-9 with a 3.04 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 254:57 K:BB over 227.2 innings.
Oct 3 2016Verlander allowed just one run on six hits and a walk with eight strikeouts across seven strong innings Sunday versus the Braves. He was a tough-luck loser and fell to 16-9 to finish the season.Verlander was called upon to start with a postseason berth on the line, and although he twirled another excellent outing, the sacrifice fly he allowed in the first stood up as the winning run in a pitchers' duel with Julio Teheran. Verlander enjoyed a return to form this season, as he compiled an impressive 3.04 ERA and 1.00 WHIP to go along with a 10.1 K:9 rate over 227.2 innings. Now 33 years old, Verlander will enter 2017 as a coveted fantasy asset after a couple of years in the wilderness.
Sep 27 2016Verlander (16-8) silenced the Indians for 7.2 innings, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out 12 in Tuesday's victory.Some might contribute Verlander's success Tuesday to the hangover the Indians were feeling following their division-clinching victory Monday. Such an assumption may be fair for a run-of-the-mill pitcher, but Verlander has been one of the most dominant arms in the game for more than a decade, and 2016 has been no different. Verlander's career has been drenched in HOF-worthy accolades (including the 2006 AL ROY, 2011 AL Cy Young and 2011 AL MVP), yet he was able to add another feat to his towering list of accomplishments with his latest performance. Verlander's 12 punchouts against the Indians marked the eighth time this year he's whiffed 10-plus batters in a start, a new career high for the 33-year-old. He's scheduled to start the season finale Sunday in Atlanta.
Sep 23 2016Verlander set down 11 hitters on strikes while allowing two runs on four hits over six innings in Thursday's doubleheader-sweeping win over the Twins.Verlander's 15th win of 2016 was actually his first in nearly a month, dating back to Aug. 26; the fault for that lies more with the Tigers' offense than with the 33-year-old fireballer. Indeed, despite having blown past his previous career high in homers allowed (24) with a whopping 30 this year, Verlander's had a great year by virtually every other metric. His strikeout rate has rebounded unbelievably from a disappointing past couple years -- in fact, his current 9.89 K/9 is the second-highest of his career. That's why even with all the long balls, he owns his best ERA (3.21) since 2012 and his best WHIP (1.01) since 2011.
Sep 17 2016Verlander didn't factor into the decision against the Indians on Saturday despite pitching seven innings of one-hit ball. He walked four and struck out seven.The ace right-hander had some trouble with his control but was otherwise dominant, inducing 16 swinging strikes overall. Verlander was only touched up for a sixth-inning single by Jason Kipnis and bounced back from a five-inning loss against the Orioles in his last trip to the mound. While a complete lack of run support denied him any chance of victory, Verlander now has quality starts in 11 of his last 12 starts. He'll look to secure an eighth season with at least 15 wins when he takes on the Royals next Friday.
Sep 12 2016Verlander (14-8) lasted just five innings in Sunday's loss to the Orioles, giving up three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven.He needed 104 pitches to get through the outing. It was the first time since July 7 that Verlander had failed to give the Tigers at least six innings and it's no coincidence that he was 6-1 during that 11-start stretch. He'll look to rebound in another tough matchup Friday in Cleveland.
Sep 6 2016Verlander allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk with 11 strikeouts over seven innings in a no-decision Monday against the White Sox.Verlander tied a season high in strikeouts set July 30 against the Astros and reached 10 strikeouts for the sixth time this season. He has been on absolute fire in the second half, with a 2.09 ERA and 89 strikeouts against just 14 walks over 11 consecutive quality starts dating back to July 15. He's starting to look an awful lot like the old Verlander, as he was touching the high 90s on the radar gun deep into this one as he mowed down the White Sox lineup.
Aug 31 2016Verlander allowed two runs on three hits, struck out nine and walked none over seven innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Wednesday.The right-hander made two mistakes that cost him the victory. Jose Abreu and former Tigers catcher Alex Avila both hit solo homers against Verlander. Fortunately, Detroit's offense rallied late, so Verlander avoided the loss. Home runs have been a problem lately, as he's yielded six of them in his last 27.2 frames, but he's also struck out 28 batters during that time. Verlander's next start will be against the same White Sox next Tuesday.
Aug 26 2016Verlander delivered another strong outing Friday, allowing just four hits in 7.2 innings Friday in a victory over the Angels. He struck out eight and allowed just one walk.Verlander settled down after a wobbly first inning where he gave up an Albert Pujols home run and a two-out single to C.J. Cron to retire 20 of the next 21 hitters he faced. He allowed two earned runs in a team-leading 14th win of the season.
Aug 22 2016Verlander (13-7) allowed one run on three hits and a walk over six innings while striking out five in Sunday's win over the Red Sox.The Tigers were up 8-0 by the end of the fifth inning, highlighted by a pair of Justin Upton homers, allowing Verlander to pick up a relatively stress-free win. It was his eighth straight quality start and ninth in 10 outings since the beginning of July, a stretch during which the veteran righty has a 1.97 ERA and 74:17 K:BB in 68.2 innings. There's still a lot of baseball left to play, but Verlander seems to have his sights set on another Cy Young award. He'll next take the mound Friday at home against the Angels.
Aug 17 2016Verlander (12-7) pitched seven innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits, including three home runs, and one walk while striking out six Royals in Tuesday's loss.Verlander had a weird night; he sat down the first eight batters he faced before giving up a solo homer in the top of the third. He proceeded to get the next six outs in order, then allowed another solo shot in the fifth. The righty continued by getting five straight outs, and then -- yup, you guessed it -- gave up his third blast of the night. Through seven innings, Verlander never had to work from the stretch, as he didn't walk a batter and the only three hits he surrendered were over the fence. Overall, it was another impressive post All-Star break outing for the veteran, who is 4-1 with a 1.98 ERA and 56 K's over 50 innings.
Aug 11 2016Verlander was left with a no-decision Wednesday despite allowing the Mariners to score just once -- a solo homer -- in seven innings. He struck out six while giving up seven hits and two walks.In fact, the Tigers ended up in the loss column despite the flamethrower's eighth consecutive start of two or fewer runs. This run has turned the storyline of his season -- Verlander never had an ERA under 4.00 through the end of May, and as recently as June 26 was at 4.30. But now he's worn his mark down to 3.42, a number well in line with this season's peripherals, thanks in no small part to a blast-from-the-past 9.54 K/9.
Aug 5 2016Verlander fanned nine in a 4-3 win over Noah Syndergard and the Mets on Friday night. He allowed two runs in six innings of work.Verlander was so dialled in that he whiffed six in a seven-batter span heading into the fourth. And he then retired seven of the last eight guys he faced. Friday was just an extension of Verlander's dominant July were he went 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 42.2 innings. Those numbers were enough for him to earn AL pitcher of the month honors for July.
Jul 30 2016Verlander (11-6) threw a complete game Friday against the Astros. He allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while tallying 11 strikeouts.Even though he was outstanding, Verlander needed a bit of help in the bottom of the ninth to secure his 11th victory of the season. The veteran had given up just two hits while blanking the Astros through the first eight innings, but surrendered two runs on three hits in the top of the final frame before the Tigers matched with two of their own in the bottom half for the 3-2 walk-off win. Friday marked Verlander's first complete game since August of last season, and lowered his ERA to a season-best 3.54. His 11 K's were the most he's had in a regular-season game since September of 2013, and pushed his strikeout total for 2016 up to 155 through 147.1 innings. Needless to say, Verlander is delivering some of his best stuff in a long time. In his six July starts, the flamethrower finished 4-0 with a ridiculous 1.69 ERA (he didn't allow more than two earned runs in any of the outings), and a 48:12 K:BB ratio. Verlander will look to keep things rolling when he makes his next start Friday against the Mets.
Jul 25 2016Verlander (10-6) earned the win by holding the Red Sox to one run over six innings. He gave up five hits, walked two, and struck out five.The veteran ace has now allowed a mere six earned runs in five starts this July, spanning 33.2 innings. Verlander's 144 strikeouts is already far above his total in a similar number of innings a season ago, and he is on pace to easily eclipse his 2014 strikeout total as well. Verlander will carry a 3.64 ERA and 1.08 WHIP into his start Sunday against the Astros.
Jul 20 2016Verlander pitched a gem, allowing one run on two hits, striking out nine and walking two over eight innings, but took a no-decision against the Twins on Wednesday afternoon.The right-hander seems to have regained his strikeout mojo. Verlander had 13 swing-and-miss, and he has 19 punchouts in his last 15.0 frames. He now has 139 strikeouts in 132.1 innings. Verlander is also 9-6 with a 3.74 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. His next start will be Monday against the Red Sox.
Jul 15 2016Verlander (9-6) allowed two runs, one of which was earned, on four hits and two walks while striking out 10 over seven innings to earn the win Friday against the Royals.Verlander was in line for a loss as he left with a 2-1 deficit, but the Tigers scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to help him earn his ninth win of the year. He's now held opponents to two or fewer earned runs in each of his last three starts to move his ERA to 3.91, the lowest it's been all year. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Twins.
Jul 7 2016Verlander (8-6) pitched 5.2 innings, allowing two runs, six hits and four walks while striking out five in Thursday's no-decision against the Blue Jays.After a nine-game stretch in which the righty pitched into the seventh inning each start, Verlander has now failed to make it past the sixth for the second time in three starts. The main factor for Thursday's sixth-inning exit was his lack of control. Verlander threw just 65 of his 103 pitches for strikes, while setting a season high for walks. He'll hit the break sporting a 4.07 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 120:33 K:BB.
Jul 2 2016Verlander was solid Saturday against the Rays, allowing just four hits and one walk, and striking out eight in a 3-2 win. He gave up two runs, one of which was earned.It was a nice rebound for Verlander who had been hit hard his last time out. He held the Rays to two sacrifice flies -- one in the fourth inning and the other in the sixth. But he was his own worst enemy on the first run because of an errant pickoff throw. Verlander moves to 8-6 with a 1.10 WHIP.
Jun 26 2016Verlander (7-6) got hammered Sunday, allowing eight runs on nine hits (including four home runs) and two walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings in a loss to the Indians.He held Cleveland off the board his first time through the order, but then gave up a couple runs in the fourth inning and all four homers in the fifth before getting chased. It's actually the first time Verlander has allowed that many homers in a game (forget about a single inning) since September 2007. He'll try to get back on track Saturday in Tampa.
Jun 21 2016Verlander gave up two runs on six hits and a walk with five strikeouts over seven innings in a no-decision Tuesday against Seattle.Verlander has gone at least six innings in each of his past nine starts, seven of which have been quality starts. He has an awesome 69:13 K:BB over 65.1 innings over that span with a 2.34 ERA in that span, as he's finally looking like the Cy Young contender he used to be once again.
Jun 5 2016Verlander (5-5) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out eight in Sunday's win over the White Sox.Both runs came on solo shots by Jose Abreu and Todd Frazier, but Verlander's stinginess in letting anyone get on base limited the damage. He threw an impressive 76 of 104 pitches for strikes, and the strong outing dropped his ERA below 4.00 for the first time all season. He'll look to keep his momentum going on the road against the Yankees on Saturday.
May 24 2016Verlander (4-4) cruised through eight innings against the Phillies on Tuesday, allowing only three hits and two walks while striking out 10.Vintage performance from Verlander against a lowly Phillies lineup. The 33-year-old didn't allow runs for the second time this 2016, and he struck out at least 10 for the second straight game. It was easily one of his best starts in recent memory.
May 18 2016Verlander (3-4) allowed three runs on six hits and struck out 10 in a 6-3 victory over the Twins on Wednesday. He also walked three.During the fourth inning, Verlander recorded the 2,000th strikeout of his career on his way to striking out 10 batters for the second time this season. In his last three outings, he has a combined 27 punchouts. Verlander is still working on lowering his 4.58 ERA, but he does have a very healthy 9.1 K/9. He will look to keep piling up the strikeouts in his next start against the Phillies on Tuesday.
May 13 2016Verlander allowed just one run on four hits, walking two and striking out eight over eight innings of a 1-0 loss to Baltimore on Friday night.Verlander (2-4) has turned in two gems in a row, allowing just one run in his last 15 innings while punching out 17, but he has no wins to show for it. His ERA dropped to 4.71 and the Tigers have to be hoping this was a performance he can duplicate going forward. He'll attempt to do just that in his next start at home against the Twins.
May 3 2016Verlander was done after five innings Tuesday night against Cleveland, allowing eight hits, seven runs (seven earned), three walks and two strikeouts. He took the loss and is now 2-3 on the season.He was knocked around in the first inning to the tune of 38 pitches, 28 of which were fastballs, and Cleveland went up 3-0 early. Verlander also allowed a home run, his seventh of the season, in just his sixth start -- that's a queasy pace for sure. He allowed just 13 in 20 starts last season and 18 in 32 starts in 2014. Verlander's propensity to serve up taters has us concerned. There's always a point in a pitcher's career where his velocity drops a bit and he's forced to rely on his secondary stuff. But we thought Verlander had already gone through that. This could be the next drop in his game, but we're not prepared to declare that at this point.
Apr 27 2016Verlander (2-2) had six strikeouts, two walks, and allowed three runs in 6.1 innings of work in Wednesday's 9-4 win over Oakland.It's been a struggle for the right-hander, but he's leveled his record for the season and lowered his ERA to a still mediocre 5.46. Verlander does have 24 strikeouts in his last three starts, but he's already allowed 18 earned runs in five starts. He's definitely not the same pitcher he was a few years ago, so use caution when inserting him as a starting pitcher in all fantasy formats.
Apr 22 2016Verlander allowed two runs on four hits, walking two and striking out 10 over seven innings of a 2-1 loss against the Indians on Friday night.Verlander (1-2) who has struggled to a 5.79 ERA to start the season was impressive in defeat. He made just two mistakes - solo home runs by Carlos Santana and Marlon Byrd - but that was enough to saddle him with the loss. He'll look to build on this effort as he faces Oakland at home in his next scheduled outing.
Apr 11 2016Verlander got eviscerated by the Pirates Monday afternoon, allowing seven runs in 4.1 innings. He struck out two and walked two in the losing effort.Verlander was supposed to start Sunday, but had his date pushed back after the rainout. The change in schedule could have had a bearing on the result, as Verlander was very strong in his first start of the season. The righty posted a 2.80 ERA after the All-Star break a season ago and should right the ship shortly. He gets his next shot this Saturday against the Astros.
Apr 10 2016Verlander will not make his regularly scheduled start against the Yankees on Sunday, as that game has been postponed, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.A rotation plan hasn't been announced just yet, but Verlander could be a candidate to take the hill for Monday's series opener against the Pirates. A makeup date for the Sunday evening contest has yet to be announced.
Apr 10 2016Verlander will be the starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Pirates, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.Verlander was originally set to start Sunday against the Yankees, but the game was postponed due to the weather. Presumably, since Verlander was pushed from Sunday to Monday, the pitching rotation will all be pushed back one game.
Apr 5 2016Verlander took a no-decision Tuesday against the Marlins as he allowed three runs on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.Verlander was cruising early as he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but Giancarlo Stanton touched him up for a two-run homer as part of a three-run sixth inning to end his night on a sour note. Still, there were lots of positives for Verlander, who drew 17 swinging strikes in his 98 pitches. Verlander won't be the only pitcher to serve up a dinger to Stanton, and if Verlander can harness the stuff he had for the first five innings this year, maybe we'll see some more of the old Verlander again in 2016.
Apr 5 2016Verlander will face a pitch count of 100 for Tuesday's Opening Day start against the Marlins, Katie Strang of ESPN.com reports.It doesn't appear to be an incredibly strict limit though, but manager Brad Ausmus added it will be "probably about time" once he reaches 100. Verlander was limited to just 133.1 innings last season -- his lowest single-season total -- so the Tigers will likely want to make sure not to overwork him in the early goings of the year.
Mar 20 2016Verlander's fastball hit anywhere from 87 to 94 mph on the stadium radar gun in his spring training outing against the Nationals in Lakeland on Sunday, reports the Detroit Free Press.Tigers' scouts immediately questioned the stadium's gun after clocking significantly higher readings on Verlander's fastballs and were quick to state it as more about his location than his velocity. The pitcher left his breaking stuff up in the zone twice to Bryce Harper, one of the best power hitters in the game, and both pitches were smacked over the fence. Verlander will make two more spring training starts before taking the ball for the season opener in Miami.
Feb 16 2016Verlander is expected to get the Opening Day start in Miami, MLive.com reports.Coming off a strong finish to the 2015 season, Verlander is all but assured of the Opening Day nod. He'll kick things off with a favorable matchup, facing a shaky Miami lineup at pitcher-friendly Marlins Park.
Oct 3 2015Verlander went six innings Saturday, allowing two earned runs on five hits and a walk while striking out nine in a 4-3 loss to the White Sox.Verlander took a no-decision in his final outing of 2015, wrapping his season up with four consecutive quality starts. The former Cy Young winner put up solid numbers in his abbreviated season, improving his K/9 to 7.63 from 6.95 in 2014.
Sep 28 2015Verlander won his fifth game of the season Monday against the Rangers, allowing just one run with five strikeouts and one walk in six innings.Aside from a solo homer and a double by Prince Fielder, Verlander limited the streaky Rangers offense to singles. The veteran has been excellent since the start of August, with a 2.53 ERA in 10 starts, and he is starting to resemble the ace he was a couple of years ago. Verlander's final start of the season will come Sunday against the White Sox.
Sep 23 2015Verlander (4-8) went seven innings Wednesday, giving up three earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out eight in a 7-4 win over the White Sox.Verlander has enjoyed success over his last nine starts, a span in which the right-hander has pitched to a 2.11 ERA. The Tigers ace pitched into late trouble against the White Sox, only to strike out Geovany Soto and strand the bases loaded in his final inning. After an injury-plagued 2015, Verlander's final stretch has provided hope for fantasy owners that the former 24-game winner still has some gas left in the tank.
Sep 18 2015Verlander allowed two runs on five hits, walking one and striking out seven over 8.2 innings, but came away with a no-decision against the Royals on Friday night.Verlander was spectacular, carrying a 3-1 lead into the ninth inning. Unfortunately, the bullpen gave the lead away and the Tigers wouldn't close it out until the 12th inning. He's had his ups and downs this year, but his second half performance suggests he is getting more comfortable pitching as more of a finesse pitcher after years of being a top power arm. Many really good ones make the adjustment.
Sep 13 2015Verlander gave up four runs in six innings and lost to Cleveland in the second-half of Sunday's doubleheader. He struck out five and walked two.It was yet another tough-luck loss for the ace who falls to 3-8. He had a great start to the game, retiring the first eight batters he faced and then pretty much skated through until the fifth. A couple of softly-hit squibblers managed to get through and luck just wasn't on his side.
Sep 12 2015Verlander's scheduled start Saturday will be pushed to Sunday after Saturday's game against the Indians was rained out, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports.The Tigers and Indians were rained out for the second night in a row and will play a doubleheader Sunday. Verlander will start the first game and take on Cleveland's Cody Anderson.
Sep 11 2015Verlander's start Friday will be pushed back to Saturday due to a rainout, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.As a result of the rainout, the Tigers will play a doubleheader Sunday, but Verlander's start will come Saturday. While it will give him an extra day of rest now, it's unclear exactly how it will impact the rotation the next time through.
Sep 6 2015The Tigers wasted a strong start from Verlander on Sunday, losing 4-0 to Cleveland. He took a no-hit bid into the fifth inning and finished with seven hits, three earned runs, two walks and four strikeouts in 7.0 innings. It was the second time in his last three starts that he's taken a no-hitter into the fifth inning.The ace was cheated of a win by yet another awful offensive effort from the Tigers (three hits). He's looking every part the ace he once was and entered Sunday having allowed just one or no runs in six of his last eight starts. He is now 3-7, but has a 1.09 WHIP and 3.43 ERA.
Aug 26 2015Verlander (2-6) tossed a one-hit shutout against the Angels on Wednesday, striking out nine while walking two in a 5-0 win.He carried a no-no into the ninth, but had it broken up by Chris Iannetta's leadoff double that landed on the left-field line. Verlander has now allowed only one earned run (and three unearned runs) in his last four starts as he continues to look more and more like the ace he once was. He's still been prone to the more-than-occasional blowup over his 13 starts this year, but his mechanics look like they've improved and it looks like he can be counted on to at least do a decent impression of his old self down the stretch.
Aug 21 2015Verlander struck out eight and limited the Rangers to four hits in seven strong innings Friday. He allowed just two runs, one earned, but got no run support and ended up with his sixth loss of the season. He walked just one.His pitch count got a bit high early, but he settled into a groove and delivered a solid outing in a 2-0 loss. He threw 110 pitches with 70 for strikes. He has really gotten into a groove in his last three outings and now has dropped his ERA to 3.86 and WHIP to 1.16. There's value in those numbers now and in his K rate, too. But the Tigers just don't support him with offence, so the wins will be hard to obtain.
Aug 15 2015Verlander looked excellent Saturday night, throwing seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts and just three hits allowed. However, a blown save cost him the win.Verlander was able to avoid a third straight loss with the guaranteed method of not allowing a run. He also didn't allow a single extra-base hit. This was just the second time all year Detroit won a Verlander start, and it required extra innings. His ERA is still a disappointing 4.11, but he's at least lasting long with 6.36 innings per start.
Aug 9 2015Verlander was a tough-luck loser Sunday against the Red Sox, allowing just two runs (none earned) with seven strikeouts and three walks in six innings.Boston scored a pair of unearned runs in the second inning after an error with two outs, but Verlander cruised the rest of the way. The veteran has now thrown four quality starts in his last six tries over the past month, and he will look to keep up his recent success Saturday against the Astros.
Jul 29 2015Verlander looked like the pitcher of old Wednesday night, hurling an 8.0 inning, four-hit gem to earn his first win of the season in a 2-1 victory over the Rays. He allowed just one earned run and struck out 10.He retired the first 14 batters he faced before Asdrubal Cabrera drove one over the wall. After the game, Verlander admitted that he's finally feeling better on the mound. It was just his eighth start after starting the season on the disabled list with a strained right triceps. He'll be a great value pick if he can prove the old Verlander really is back.
Jul 24 2015Verlander allowed just one run on seven hits, he did not walk a batter and struck out three over eight innings of a no-decision against the Red Sox on Friday night.He has been on a roller coaster lately, pitching a gem in this one, after allowing seven runs in just 3.2 innings last time out. In two other July starts, he allowed one run over seven innings in one, and seven runs in five innings in the other. Verlander has flashed signs of getting everything back together, but he simply can't be trusted in a fantasy rotation just now.
Jul 19 2015Verlander couldn't get out of the fourth inning Sunday against Baltimore. He gave up eight hits, including two home runs, and seven earned runs in 3.2 innings in a 9-3 loss to the Orioles.Six of those runs came in the fourth inning, and he left to a smattering of boos, something you just don't expect for a former Cy Young winner pitching on his home field. The final line? Eight hits, seven earned runs, one walk, and four strikeouts in 3.2 innings. His ERA climbed to 6.62 for the season.
Jul 19 2015Verlander couldn't get out of the fourth inning Sunday against Baltimore. He gave up eight hits, including two home runs, and seven earned runs in 3.2 innings of work in a 9-3 loss to the Orioles.Six of those runs came in the fourth inning and he left to a smattering of boos, something you just don't expect for a former Cy Young winner pitching on his home field. The final line? 3.2 IP, 8H, 7ER, 1BB, 4 SO. His ERA climbed to 6.62 for the season.
Jul 5 2015Verlander allowed seven runs Sunday and saw his ERA balloon to 6.75 in a 10-5 loss to the Blue Jays. He is winless in four starts this season and allowed seven hits, including two home runs, and two walks in five innings. He struck out five.He was actually cruising along through four innings, but the wheels fell off in the fifth inning. His stuff was solid, but he couldn't repeat his delivery and the powerhouse Jays teed off on him. He needs more time to regain a consistent approach, so keep him on the pine. He's too much of a risk right now.
Jun 28 2015Verlander (back) has been cleared to make his scheduled start Tuesday against the Pirates, MLive.com's James Schmehl reports.Manager Brad Ausmus confirmed Sunday morning that Verlander made it through his bullpen session Saturday without incident, giving the Tigers' medical staff enough confidence to sign off on his return to the mound this week. Verlander, who had his previous start skipped due to the bout with back stiffness, isn't expected to face any restrictions during Tuesday's outing, though it's tough to trust him turning in a good performance. Over his two starts this season spanning 11.2 innings, Verlander has surrendered 13 hits and eight runs, including four homers.
Jun 26 2015Verlander (back) is targeting Tuesday for his next start, Matthew B. Mowery of The Oakland Press reports.Verlander was scratched from his previous start Wednesday because of back stiffness, but the initial indication was that he'd miss just one start. That still appears to be the case, as he's now scheduled to pitch Tuesday, avoiding another stint on the disabled list.
Jun 23 2015Verlander has been scratched from his start Wednesday with back stiffness, MLive's Chris Iott reports.This latest ailment and subsequent skipped start is a microcosm of Verlander's season so far, but it is not like he was pitching well prior to this news, so it is not a huge blow in the short term for his owners. Buck Farmer will get the start Wednesday, and while the Tigers say Verlander will miss just one start, he should still be considered questionable for his start next week.
Jun 19 2015Verlander allowed six runs on 10 hits, walking one and striking out two over 6.2 innings of a 6-2 loss to the Yankees on Friday night.Verlander (0-1, 6.17 ERA) did not pitch as badly as the line might suggest. He gave up three home runs, all of which could be considered somewhat ballpark assisted, and he was clearly still rusty as he continues to pitch himself back into game shape. He was easily hitting 95 mph with his fastball, even into the seventh inning, and was able to throw 117 pitches (77 for strikes), albeit not all of them were in locations he would have preferred.
Jun 18 2015Verlander will not make his scheduled start Thursday after the Tigers' game against the Reds was postponed.The Tigers have not announced their starter for Friday's series opener against the Yankees, but Verlander is a likely candidate to get the nod. More information on Verlander's status should be made available prior to the Tigers releasing their lineup card Friday.
Jun 18 2015Verlander will get the start Friday against the Yankees.Verlander was scheduled to pitch Thursday, but the Tigers' game against the Reds was postponed. The Tigers will roll Verlander's start to Friday rather than skipping his turn in the rotation.
Jun 13 2015Verlander made his 2015 debut on Saturday, throwing 87 pitches over five innings and giving up two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two.He came away with a no-decision, but otherwise it was a successful return for Verlander, who was able to rear back and touch 96 mph with his fastball in his final inning of work. If he has managed to re-discover some of the velocity he'd lost over the last couple of years, fantasy players who took a chance on him this season may be in for a very pleasant surprise. His next start is scheduled for Thursday, on the road in Cincinnati.
Jun 13 2015Verlander (triceps) was activated from the 15-day DL on Saturday.The former AL MVP is set to make his 2015 debut Saturday against Cleveland after a lengthy battle back from a triceps strain. Verlander built his pitch count up to 93 in his second rehab start with Triple-A Toledo, fanning nine and not allowing an earned run over 5.2 innings, so he likely won't face any major restrictions in his first start back.
Jun 9 2015Verlander (triceps) will start Saturday's game against the Indians, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.Verlander threw 93 pitches in his final rehab start for Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, striking out nine batters and allowing just one run on four hits. The Tigers probably won't push him too hard in his first start of the season, but Verlander's arm strength has apparently built up enough for him to approach 100 pitches. The matchup should be a good one, with Verlander opposing Cleveland's Carlos Carrasco on Saturday.
Jun 6 2015Verlander (triceps) gave up one run on four hits with no walks and nine strikeouts Saturday in his rehab start with Triple-AHe threw 93 pitches and appears poised to jump into the Tigers' rotation next week. Manager Brad Ausmus said that barring a setback of some kind, this would be Verlander's last rehab outing. Not only did he not have a setback, but he was dominant for Triple-A Toledo. Look for Verlander to start either Friday or Saturday against the Indians, with the potential to pitch deep into that game.
Jun 2 2015Verlander (triceps) will make another rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Toledo, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.Verlander said after Sunday's outing for Triple-A Toledo that he hoped he wouldn't need another rehab start. His wish apparently won't come true, perhaps because he allowed three earned runs over 2.2 innings. Verlander will likely rejoin the rotation next week or weekend, as Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Saturday's start will likely be the last of the right-hander's rehab assignment, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Jun 2 2015Verlander's (triceps) teammate, Buck Farmer, was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday.Farmer is listed as the probable starter for Saturday's game against the White Sox in Chicago, and while it's possible Farmer will be called back up for that outing, it may also be the case that Verlander is ready to rejoin the rotation. Despite giving up three earned runs over 2.2 innings for Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Verlander said afterward he hopes it will be his final rehab outing.
May 31 2015Verlander (triceps) felt good following Sunday's rehab start, and he hopes to avoid making another rehab appearance, MLive Media Group reports.Verlander's line Saturday wasn't spectacular, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks over just 2.2 innings, but the most important thing is he suffered no setback. It's unclear what the team's plan is for him at this point, but that should reveal itself in the near future.
May 27 2015Verlander (triceps) will be limited to 80-85 pitches in a rehab start with Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, James Schmehl of MLive Media Group reports.Manager Brad Ausmus indicated Wednesday that it's unclear whether Verlander will require one or two rehab starts, but it appears he's finally closing in on a return. Given the current injury situation in the Tigers' rotation, a good showing in his rehab start Sunday could lead to a return thereafter.
May 26 2015Verlander (triceps) is expected to make a rehab start in the next five days, Lynn Henning of the Detroit News reports.Verlander tossed a simulated game Tuesday under the supervision of manager Brad Ausmus, with the right-hander indicating that he felt "very good" after the outing. The Tigers will wait and see how Verlander checks out after the next couple of days before clearing him to head out on a rehab assignment for an as-yet-to-be-determined affiliate. Verlander has yet to pitch in a competitive environment since leaving his March 27 Grapefruit League start with the triceps strain.
May 22 2015Verlander (triceps) will throw a simulated game Tuesday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.Verlander threw a good bullpen session Thursday and will progress to throwing a simulated game in Oakland on Tuesday. If he continues to throw without any setbacks, beginning a rehab assignment could be on the horizon in the near future.
May 18 2015Verlander (triceps) threw a successful bullpen session Monday, MLB.com reports.Verlander threw a 45-pitch session, which he described as his "most intense" yet. Manager Brad Ausmus said Verlander will likely throw one more bullpen session, and if everything checks out health-wise he'll embark on a rehab assignment. "He's moving forward," Ausmus said, "but we were kind of at this point earlier in the season, too, and we had a setback. So that's more reason to be cautious. We don't want to revisit that."
May 17 2015Verlander (triceps) will throw another bullpen session Monday, the Detroit News reports.Verlander has not pitched yet this season as he continues to rehab a triceps injury that he suffered at the end of March. Even in his bullpen sessions, Verlander isn't facing live hitters, so he remains sidelined indefinitely, and with little information coming from the Tigers, it's hard to know exactly when he'll return.
May 14 2015Verlander (triceps) is scheduled to throw a 35-pitch bullpen session Friday, Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press reports.Verlander remains without a timetable, but he continues to progress in his recovery from a strained right triceps. He threw on flat ground Wednesday after tossing an abbreviated, 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday. Still, the Tigers have remained mum regarding his status, so it's unclear when he could rejoin the rotation.
May 13 2015Verlander (triceps) threw pitches on flat ground Wednesday after tossing a bullpen session Tuesday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.The session was described as "easy throwing" by Jason Beck of MLB.com, but it's an encouraging sign that Verlander was able to throw on back-to-back days. The Tigers have not outlined a clear plan for his rehab, or a timetable for his return to this point.
May 12 2015Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones said he was very pleased with Verlander's (triceps) 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports.Verlander will probably throw at least one or two more bullpen sessions before he is cleared to face batters. Given that he'll likely require a rehab assignment, a return before the very end of May or early June seems unlikely.
May 10 2015Verlander (triceps) will throw a light bullpen session Tuesday, MLive.com's James Schmehl reports.Verlander threw from 90 to 120 feet Sunday with manager Brad Ausmus and felt strong during the workout, which was enough for the Tigers to sign off on him advancing to the next phase of his rehab. He'll likely require multiple bullpen sessions before receiving clearance to face hitters.
May 10 2015Verlander (triceps) threw from about 90 feet Sunday, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.Verlander had been previously limited to throwing from 60 feet, so Sunday's activity suggests he's making progress on some level. The Tigers haven't mapped out Verlander's recovery program just yet, so it's not clear when he might begin to face hitters again.
May 6 2015Verlander (triceps) threw 50 times from 60 feet Wednesday, George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press reports.Verlander was cleared to throw earlier Wednesday and immediately started later in the day. There's no timetable on the next steps in his recovery, but he'll likely continue to throw for the time being before ramping up his activities.
May 6 2015Verlander (triceps) was cleared Wednesday to resume a throwing program.The Tigers were awaiting the results of a third MRI, and it sounds like they got the news they were looking for. There has not been a timetable announced for what the next step will be for Verlander, but it sounds like he has a good chance of pitching for the Tigers this season.
May 1 2015Verlander (triceps) will undergo his third MRI early next week, the Detroit Free Press reports.The previous two MRI exams both yielded a diagnosis of a right triceps strain, but the Tigers want to take another look, as there might be some inflammation or fluid still in the area. Verlander has not thrown at anywhere near his normal intensity since leaving a simulated outing back on April 15 due to fatigue. He's been limited to what manager Brad Ausmus described as "extremely light toss" in recent days.
Apr 30 2015Verlander (triceps) completed another light throwing session Thursday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.Verlander didn't report any discomfort, but the Tigers still want him to have a third MRI early next week. Manager Bad Ausmus recently said he'd be shocked if the right-hander isn't available before the All-Star break.
Apr 28 2015Verlander (triceps) went through an extremely light throwing session Tuesday, MLB Network reports.Verlander, who's dealing with a strained right triceps, performed 20 throws as he continues to work through the early phases of rehabilitation. The Tigers have not provided any sort of return timeline for the starter, but manager Brad Ausmus said Tuesday that he would be "shocked" if Verlander remains out as late as July's All-Star break. Ausmus also noted that the inflammation in Verlander's elbow has subsided slightly.
Apr 27 2015Verlander sought a second opinion that determined he's dealing with a strained right triceps muscle, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports.The diagnosis is similar to the initial one that tabbed Verlander's injury a triceps strain that has continued to prevent him from throwing. It appears both he and the team are seeking as much information as possible as the ailment has sidelined Verlander longer than expected, but he doesn't appear to be any closer to being able to throw. Kyle Lobstein will continue to slot into the rotation in his stead.
Apr 25 2015Verlander (triceps) remains in a holding pattern as he's unable to throw due to inflammation (fluid) in his arm, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.The Tigers have provided limited information with each periodic update of Verlander. He's traveling with the team in case he's able to resume throwing in the near future, but it seems highly unlikely that he'll return before mid-May as the Tigers won't have him throw until the inflammation subsides. Kyle Lobstein will remain in the rotation for the Tigers until Verlander is cleared to return.
Apr 20 2015Verlander underwent an MRI on Thursday that confirmed the initial diagnosis of a triceps strain, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.Verlander is still experiencing shoulder soreness as his recovery has gone slower than anticipated, so he underwent an MRI to make sure he wasn't dealing with anymore than the strain. There doesn't appear to be any update on a possible timetable as the 32-year-old will remain sidelined until the soreness subsides, but once he can resume throwing a clearer return date should become available.
Apr 19 2015Verlander (triceps) won't resume his throwing program until the soreness in his shoulder goes away, MLive Media Group reports.Verlander was scheduled to throw some light toss Sunday, but was held back because of it. He may require multiple day before throwing once again, but his schedule depends completely on his arm. At this point, his timetable remains open-ended, but it should clear up as he begins making progress.
Apr 19 2015Verlander (triceps) is not likely to throw Sunday according to manager Brad Ausmus, Matthew B. Mowery of the Oakland Press reports.Verlander and the Tigers seem to be scaling back his rehab a bit, but the team was still hopeful he'd be able to resume some light throwing Sunday. This won't be the case, however, as the next step in the veteran righty's recovery has yet to be announced.
Apr 18 2015The Tigers are going to back off Verlander's (triceps) rehab and he'll be limited to light throws if he feels better Sunday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.While the Tigers did not elaborate regarding an adjustment to the timetable for Verlander's expected return date, it seems increasingly likely that he won't rejoin the team before the end of April.
Apr 17 2015Verlander (triceps) will not start Tuesday's game against the Yankees, George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press reports.As expected, Kyle Lobstein will get the Tuesday nod, with Verlander not quite ready to make his return. The veteran right-hander felt some aching in his triceps during a bullpen session earlier this week, but he may still be able to return by the end of April.
Apr 15 2015Verlander had his bullpen session cut short Thursday due to an "achy" and fatigued triceps muscle, Chris Iott of the MLive Media Group reports.Verlander was expected to throw approximately 60 pitches and four innings, but settled for three innings and 45 pitches instead. It doesn't appear to be a major setback, however, as Verlander indicated his triceps never grabbed at him. His current timetable is a bit unclear, but a late April return still isn't completely out of the question at this point.
Apr 15 2015Verlander (triceps) will require at leas one more simulated game or rehab start before returning, likely ruling him out for Tuesday, Chris Iott of MLive Media Group reports.Verlander initially appeared on track to possibly make a start, but had his schedule 60 pitches and four innings cut to 45 pitches and three innings Wednesday because of an "achy" triceps. Now he will require at least one more simulated game or rehab status before returning to the mound, likely pushing him back a little bit longer.
Apr 12 2015Verlander (triceps) is slated to toss a simulated game Wednesday, Chris Iott of MLive Media Group reports.Verlander continues to progress towards a return, having thrown 30 pitches off a mound Friday. With a simulated game up next, he will take another step forward, but probably won't be ready when first eligible to return.
Apr 10 2015Verlander (triceps) threw 30 pitches off a mound Friday and said it went really well, Chris Iott of MLive.com reports.With the exception of his curveball, Verlander threw all of his pitches in the 30-pitch bullpen session, and he could be cleared to throw a full bullpen session as soon as Sunday. He is eligible to come off the DL on Monday, but given where Verlander is at with his throwing progression, a return later next week seems more realistic.
Apr 9 2015Verlander (triceps) played catch in the outfield and tried some deliveries off flat ground before Thursday's game, reports MLB.com. He is eligible to come off the disabled list on Monday.The next step would be a simulated game, but that's still a bit premature. "One day at a time," cautioned manager Brad Ausmus. However, Verlander will travel with the team on their week-long trip to Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and he could be back in an interleague contest against the Pirates. The team doesn't technically need a fifth starter until April 21 at home against the Yankees, but he'll be back before then if all goes well. "... after Sunday, we could slot him in anywhere depending on how he felt," continued Ausmus. Weekly owners may need to roll the dice on activation -- the Tigers may not announce his availability until after rosters lock Monday.
Apr 8 2015Manager Brad Ausmus (triceps) indicated Wednesday that he's "extremely optimistic" Verlander will make his next start, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.Verlander felt some soreness following a Sunday throwing session, but reportedly felt good after doing some long toss Tuesday. He currently considers himself day-to-day, so his progress within the next few should better indicate his status for his second scheduled outing of the year.
Apr 8 2015Verlander (triceps) was officially placed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday, MLive.com's James Schmehl reports.By placing Verlander on the DL, the Tigers effectively determined that the right-hander would not be healthy enough to pitch April 12 against the Twins, as he won't be eligible to return until a day later. Kyle Lobstein will be recalled from Triple-A Toledo to make the April 12 start, but it's not yet clear how soon after that date Verlander will be ready to go.
Apr 7 2015The Tigers need to place Verlander on the disabled list by midnight eastern time Tuesday in order for him to be able to pitch Sunday, MLive's Chris Iott reports.The team was expected to place him on the DL Tuesday retroactive to March 28 in order for him to pitch Sunday, but they had not done so as of 5 p.m. Tuesday. If the Tigers are not 100 percent certain Verlander can pitch Sunday, they would replace him on the roster with a starting pitcher. Kyle Lobstein is the current favorite to be called up from Triple-A Toledo if the Tigers need a spot starter Sunday.
Apr 7 2015Verlander (triceps) will not be placed on the DL Tuesday, meaning the Tigers will have to keep him on the active roster all week in order for him to pitch Sunday, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.If the Tigers wanted to backdate a DL stint for Verlander and then activate him for Sunday's game, they needed to do so by Tuesday, and general manager Dave Dombrowski says there is no plan to put him on the DL Tuesday. Should Verlander be unable to pitch Sunday, Kyle Lobstein is the top candidate to be recalled for the start.
Apr 6 2015Verlander (triceps) threw 40 pitches from a mound Sunday, MLive.com reports.Depending on how he feels Monday, the Tigers should have a better read as to whether he can realistically take the ball against Cleveland on Sunday.
Apr 5 2015Verlander (triceps) will not be placed on the DL to begin the season as the Tigers will wait to see how he responds after throwing to hitters Tuesday, MLB.com reports.The Tigers set their 25-man lineup Sunday and Verlander didn't go on the DL. He could be retroactively placed on the DL as late as Tuesday, so fantasy leagues with DL spots will be in limbo over Verlander's status for a few more days. If all goes well, Verlander is expected to make his first start of the season April 12 at Cleveland.
Apr 4 2015Verlander (triceps) threw a bullpen session Saturday and will next throw against hitters Tuesday, the Detroit News reports. "He felt extremely good," said Tigers manager Brad Ausmus.Verlander is expected to be placed on the DL, but the Tigers haven't made a roster move and can wait until as late as Tuesday. If all goes well, Verlander is expected to make his first start of the season April 12 at Cleveland.
Apr 4 2015Verlander (triceps) will pitch a bullpen session either Saturday or Sunday morning and there's a possibility he may not be placed on the DL to begin the season, the Detroit News reports. "We can wait and put Justin on the DL on April 7 and retroactive it so he would be eligible to pitch on the 12th," GM Dave Dombrowski said.If Verlander's bullpen session goes well, he'd next face minor league hitters on Tuesday. If those two sessions go well, then he may be kept on the 25-man roster so he can make a start on April 12. The odds still seem likely he'll be placed on the DL, but fantasy leagues with DL spots may be in limbo over Verlander's status until after the regular season begins.
Apr 3 2015Verlander (triceps) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday, and a successful session would lead to him facing hitters Tuesday, Chris Iott of MLive.com reports.Verlander remains DL-bound at this point, but his rehab appears to be coming as planned. Assuming all of his stops go off without a hitch, it's possible he'll miss minimal time before rejoining the Tigers' rotation. However, the club will likely proceed cautiously with him to prevent a major setback.
Apr 3 2015Verlander (triceps) is expected to resume throwing off a mound Saturday or Sunday, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.The Tigers are still expected to place Verlander on the 15-day disabled list to open the season, but there's optimism that he'll only have to miss the minimum amount of time. Given how much long-term money is tied up in Verlander's right arm, the Tigers will surely want to proceed cautiously with him, so as not to put him in danger of a more serious setback. That being said, the injury coupled with the sizable decline in performance he noticed last season certainly don't paint a rosy outlook for Verlander's 2015.
Apr 2 2015Verlander (triceps) will open the season on the 15-day DL, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.Verlander had previously been in consideration to start the Tigers' second game of the season, but manager Brad Ausmus did note that it would be a "bit of a stretch." Due to the timing of the move, the team will be able to backdate the DL stint, which could possibly open him up to start the sixth game of the regular season. With Verlander on the shelf, the Tigers could move up Anibal Sanchez to start the season's second game, but an official announcement has yet to be made. After seeing his average fastball velocity dip nearly a full mile per hour in each of the last three seasons, this clearly isn't the start to 2015 that the veteran was hoping for. Per Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press, Verlander will attempt to throw a bullpen session this Saturday or Sunday, and if all goes well, he would be eyeing an April 12 return.
Apr 1 2015Manager Brad Ausmus indicated Wednesday that Verlander (triceps) would be a "bit of a stretch right now" to start the second game of the season, but wouldn't rule it out, MLive Media Group reports.Ausmus' comments come after the Tigers' announced decision to hold Verlander out of his scheduled spring start Friday. While it seems probable that he'll miss the beginning of the season, the issue doesn't seem to be something that will extend too far into the season. However, a concrete decision on his status for the second game should come at some point within the week.
Mar 29 2015Verlander (triceps) and Tigers manager Brad Ausmus did not rule out the possibility that the injury that caused him to leave his start Friday in the third innings is a triceps strain, MLive.com reports.Both Ausmus and Verlander emphasized that if he has suffered a strain, it's a minor one and that they don't expect him to miss much time. It's expected that further details will surface regarding the extent of the injury in the coming days, and Verlander is currently positioned to start the Tigers' second game of the regular season April 8 against Minnesota.
Mar 29 2015Verlander (triceps) went through some light tossing Sunday, but manager Brad Ausmus indicated there's question surrounding whether or not he will make his next scheduled start, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.Verlander's triceps issue is still believed to be minor, but his status is becoming more cloudy by the day. His next scheduled start comes Thursday, but it's possible he will be skipped. If that winds up the case, his status could come into question as the starter for the second game of the regular season.
Mar 28 2015Verlander (triceps) will not need an MRI, and is still optimistic he will make his next scheduled start Thursday, MLive's James Schmehl reports,He continues to say his level of concern is minimal, especially with the amount of time before his next start. Verlander said that even if it is a strain and not a cramp, it would be a mild strain, and he obviously feels he can pitch through whatever he's dealing with. This will be a situation to watch over the coming week, as his ability to make it through Thursday's start in good shape will likely determine his status for his first scheduled turn in the Tigers' rotation.
Mar 27 2015Verlander left Friday's start with a cramp in his right triceps, and he is not expected to miss his next outing, Lynn G. Henning of The Detroit News reports.While the initial diagnosis is favorable, the Tigers will further evaluate Verlander on Saturday. If it's confirmed to be nothing more than a cramp, the veteran right-hander should be ready for Opening Day. Verlander called for a trainer in the third inning of Friday's game, after covering first base on a ground ball.
Mar 27 2015Verlander left Friday's Grapefruit League game in the third inning with an apparent arm injury, MLive.com reports.Verlander signaled for trainers after covering first base on a ground ball. The team has yet to provide an update, but Tom Gage of FOX Sports Detroit said Verlander didn't seem to be favoring anything when he ran from the dugout to the clubhouse. Reports from earlier in the day had Verlander's fastball consistently in the mid-90s.
Mar 8 2015Verlander gave up one hit and walked a pair of batters while striking out two over two innings in his 2015 spring debut against the Braves on Saturday.Accofrding
Feb 17 2015Verlander threw apprixomately 60 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.Verlander has already generated a bunch of positive reports this winter, as he reportedly added 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason, following a highly disappointing 2014 campaign. Perhaps more important, he was able to get an earlier start on his offseason throwing program, after core repair surgery limited him in that regard last year. He's one of the more obvious bounce-back candidates, even if a return to his dominant peak form is unlikely.
Feb 2 2015Verlander said that he added 20 pounds of muscle this offseason, and he was able to begin throwing earlier in the winter in preparation for the upcoming season than he was a year ago when he was recovering from core repair surgery, the Detroit Free Press reports.While Verlander fared better during the second half of 2014 (7.4 K/9, 2.2 BB/9, 3.97 ERA), he was still struggling to reach his typical levels in the strikeout department. Even with limitations last season, Verlander reached 200 innings for the eighth consecutive year. His stock has fallen considerably in early drafts, but he's just one season removed from piling up 217 strikeouts in 218.1 innings for the Tigers in 2013. Verlander is also exploring the possibility of using a new pitch this season, but it won't be clear until the games begin to count in April if he develops an offering that will actually be a part of his arsenal going forward. While a rebound seems likely, the extent of that rebound seems highly variable.
Sep 30 2014Verlander will start Game 2 of the ALDS against the Orioles on Friday, MLive.com reports.Max Scherzer was the obvious choice for the Game 1 nod, but manager Brad Ausmus said there were several internal discussions about whether to start Verlander or David Price in Game 2. The team ultimately settled on Verlander, who allowed just two earned runs with 10 strikeouts against no walks over 15.1 innings in his final two starts. Price is thus set to start Sunday's Game 3 at Comerica Park.
Sep 24 2014Verlander pitched eight innings of one-run ball to pick up the win against the White Sox Wednesday, giving up just seven hits and striking out six.Verlander has been in vintage form his last two starts for a Tigers team that is desperately trying to hold of a hard-charging Kansas City team. Over those two starts he's pitched 15.1 innings and given up just two earned runs.
Sep 19 2014Verlander allowed just one run on seven hits, he did not walk a batter and struck out four over 7.1 innings of a 10-1 win against the Royals on Friday night.It has certainly been a frustrating year for Verlander (14-12, 4.68 ERA) but with a huge weekend series that could decide the AL Central this weekend, he came up big. He suffered from a blister in his last outing, but showed no ill effects in this one. He'll attempt to keep everything going when he faces the White Sox at home next time out.
Sep 16 2014Verlander (blister) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.Manager Brad Ausmus revealed that a blister contributed to Verlander's mediocre showing against Cleveland on Sunday (three earned runs over 5.2 innings), but added that he doesn't expect it to be an issue going forward. Verlander expressed a similar sentiment, saying he is OK and on track to make his next scheduled start this weekend against Kansas City.
Sep 14 2014Verlander surrendered six hits and three earned runs in 5.2 innings against Cleveland on Sunday.Verlander, who had six strikeouts and three walks in the no decision, was pulled after 109 pitches, 68 of which were strikes. The right-hander will try to improve on his 4.81 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in Saturday's start in Kansas City.
Sep 8 2014Verlander earned the win Monday, tossing seven innings of four-run ball against the Royals.The victory pushed his record to 13-12, but also saw his ERA jump up to 4.82 for the season. Verlander has now allowed 10 earned runs in his last two starts and has just one quality start in his last five attempts. He'll face the Indians at home this weekend.
Sep 3 2014Verlander gave up seven runs -- six earned -- on nine hits over 6.2 innings in a losing effort Wednesday.The Cleveland offense found ways to put runs on the board against Verlander in the first, fourth and seventh innings Wednesday. Verlander has been missing bats more regularly over his last three starts (21 strikeouts in 19.1 innings), but has also been hittable during that span, with the opposition racking up 12 runs on 26 hits. Verlander will face the Royals on Monday in his next start -- the beginning of a crucial series with Kansas City as the two clubs battle for the AL Central crown.
Aug 30 2014Verlander worked seven solid innings, allowing just one run on nine hits and two walks while piling up eight strikeouts in Friday's 7-1 win over the White Sox.Verlander surrendered a run in the bottom of the first Friday night, but followed up with six straight scoreless frames en route to his 12th victory of the campaign. In his best performance of the second half, the 2011 AL Cy Young winner surrendered less than two runs in an outing for just the second time this season and first since April 17. Verlander will attempt to build off this effort Wednesday versus the Indians.
Aug 23 2014Verlander (shoulder) has been confirmed as the starter for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins.Shoulder soreness cut Verlander's last start short after 40 pitches, and while an MRI revealed just inflammation, the Tigers decided to play it safe and skip the right-hander's next turn. Upon completion of a bullpen session Thursday, Verlander received clearance to oppose Trevor May in Saturday's nightcap, but the Twins aren't the pushovers they used to be, having scored more runs than any team in baseball since the All-Star break (158).
Aug 23 2014Verlander surrendered four earned runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings in a win over the Twins on Saturday. He also struck out six and walked three.The win brings Verlander's record back up to .500 at 11-11, but he wasn't able to bring down his ERA on the season -- which now sits at a very non-Verlander-like 4.82 through 26 starts. It was nice to see him grab the W after departing early in his last start with shoulder inflammation, but the Tigers (and fantasy owners) will want the 31-year-old Cy Young winner to tighten things up in the final month of the season, especially with Tigers battling for their playoff lives.
Aug 21 2014Verlander (shoulder) threw a successful bullpen session Thursday and is on track to start one game of Saturday's double-header against Minnesota, MLive Media Group reports.Verlander threw 35 pitches, which was enough to determine he'll be ready to return to the mound Saturday. In his last outing on August 11, which he departed after just one inning, Verlander allowed five runs on four hits and issued a pair of walks. He'll look to rebound, but the Tigers could very well have him on a pitch count in hopes of avoiding a re-aggravation of his shoulder issue.
Aug 20 2014Verlander (shoulder) is scheduled to toss a light bullpen session Thursday with the intention of starting one game of Saturday's doubleheader at Minnesota, James Schmehl of MLive.com reports.It's unclear if Verlander's pitch count will be capped Saturday, but the his first appearance since a disaster on Aug. 11 will soon come to pass.
Aug 19 2014Verlander (shoulder) played catch for approximately 10 minutes from 60 feet Tuesday, George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press reports. Speaking of the session, Verlander said, "Definitely felt a whole lot better. There wasn't that can't-get-loose feeling. Arm felt loose and felt good."With the hope that he'll return Friday in Minnesota, the throwing session effectively doubled as a bullpen session. Expect him to fit in a bit more activity before week's end, but his first appearance since Aug. 11 will likely include a capped pitch count, which has yet to be released.
Aug 15 2014Verlander (shoulder) hopes to start next Friday at the Twins, the Associated Press reports.Verlander was diagnosed with shoulder inflammation after leaving his last start with soreness after one inning. He isn't scheduled to pick up a baseball until Tuesday, when he will try some short tossing. Manager Brad Ausmus said Verlander's schedule will be based entirely on how he feels then, but the goal is for him to start next Friday.
Aug 12 2014Verlander was diagnosed Tuesday with inflammation in multiple places in his right shoulder, Chris Iott of MLive.com reports. Speaking to Jason Beck of MLB.com, manager Brad Ausmus said, "There was no major structural damage. At this point, we don't expect him to go on the DL."Although Verlander will miss one start, at least, that sound you hear is a sigh of relief from his owners. An organization's expectations are always subject to change, but his next nod will ultimately be determined by how his body reacts to extended rest. In the meantime, Robbie Ray figures to handle Verlander's spot in the rotation, if the latter is unable to go Sunday against the Mariners.
Aug 11 2014Verlander is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his sore shoulder Tuesday, Chris Lott of MLive.com reports.Verlander lasted just one inning in his start Monday, and was pulled after allowing five earned runs and throwing just 40 total pitches. The news is a bit concerning, as it's the first injury-related MRI he'll undergo in his career. The heavy innings totals over the years may finally be starting to take their toll on the right-hander. More information should be released once the Tigers receive the results.
Aug 11 2014Verlander left Monday's game with right shoulder soreness and will be further evaluated Tuesday.He lasted just one inning, giving up five runs (four earned) on four hits and two walks, before getting pulled after throwing 40 pitches. It wouldn't be surprising to hear that Verlander has a shoulder injury, given the mileage on his arm (200-plus innings every year since 2007). The blow would be lessened for fantasy owners this season, as it's been the worst of his career. He now has a 4.76 ERA, which is among the 10 worst in baseball among qualified starters. We should know more about the severity of the injury Tuesday.
Aug 6 2014Verlander (10-10) allowed two earned runs on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts in Wednesday's loss to the Yankees.Verlander recorded his fourth straight quality start, but emerges from that stretch with just a 2-2 record. He allowed two solo home runs in this one off the bats of Chase Headley and Brian McCann, and that proved to be the difference, as his Tigers were only able to muster one run of support. Despite the tough-luck loss, Verlander should be confident in his recent performance entering his next start Monday against the Pirates. He'll then face the Mariners in the second game of his two-start week.
Aug 1 2014Verlander was solid Friday night, allowing two runs on eight hits, he did not walk a batter, and struck out five over eight innings of a 4-2 win against the Rockies.Verlander (10-9, 4.66 ERA) has struggled all season, but he continued his mastery of the National League and is now an amazing 25-2 in Interleague play including a 4-0 record this year and a 13-0 mark over the past four seasons. He'll hope this success carries over into his next start on the road against the Yankees.
Jul 27 2014Verlander tossed seven innings against the Angels on Saturday night, giving up three earned runs, six hits and three walks while striking out four in a losing effort.Though Verlander continues to perform well below his previous Cy Young award winning level, he has shown at least some improvement during the past few weeks. Over his last seven starts, the six-time All-Star has gone 3-2 while posting a 4.40 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 7.2 K/9 across 45 innings. The Tigers obviously need their former ace to give them more than that down the stretch, but Verlander does seem to be headed in the right direction. He will next take the mound Friday versus the Rockies.
Jul 22 2014Verlander (9-8) got the win against the Diamondbacks on Monday. He gave up three runs on six hits and 3 walks while striking out five.After a winless June, Verlander is 3-1 in July with a 5.04 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. The veteran right-hander will take the hill Saturday versus the Angels.
Jul 13 2014Verlander fell to 8-8 after allowing four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three in 6.1 innings against Kansas City.Verlander's ERA now sits at 4.88, which would be his worst season as a full time starter. He went 11-17 in 2008 with a 4.84 ERA.
Jul 8 2014Verlander surrendered five runs to the Dodgers in the first inning Tuesday, then pitched five more one-hit innings to pick up an improbable eighth win of the season.He rebounded very nicely from the awful start, and retired 13 straight batters after the first inning, finishing with a line of five runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in six innings. It's been a disappointing season for the Tigers' former ace, but on Tuesday he went from terrible to excellent over the span of six innings. He'll make his final start before the All-Star break on Sunday in Kansas City, and then will get to actually rest during All-Star weekend for the first time in years.
Jul 2 2014Verlander (7-7) allowed nine hits and two earned runs, striking out four over six innings to pick up the win Sunday against the Athletics.Verlander rebounded from two first-inning long balls to pick up his first win since all the way back on May 30. He still wasn't the sharpest in this one, scattering nine hits on the day, but was able to put five scoreless frames on the board following the troublesome first inning. He also didn't walk a single batter, doing so for the first time in his 2014 season. Verlander has now given the Tigers three consecutive quality starts, but still owns a shaky 4.71 ERA and 1.49 WHIP on the year. He'll look to continue his turnaround next week, when he's projected for two starts against the Dodgers and Royals.
Jun 27 2014Verlander tossed six innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits while piling up eight strikeouts versus the Astros on Friday night.Make it back-to-back solid efforts for Verlander, as the Tigers' Cy Young winning hurler seems to be in the process of turning his ship around. After being roughed up for a combined 19 earned runs across 18.2 innings over his first three outings in June, the six-time All-Star has posted a 3.46 ERA and 11.1 K/9 through his last two starts. Verlander is slated to be back on the mound Wednesday afternoon versus the A's.
Jun 21 2014Verlander rebounded with one of his strongest efforts of the season against the Indians on Saturday, permitting only two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk with eight strikeouts over seven innings. He exited the game in line for the win, but ultimately came away with no decision.A solo home run by Carlos Santana in the fourth inning was Verlander's lone mistake on the night. Otherwise, the veteran right-hander looked sharp with eight whiffs and tied a season-low with one walk. Verlander will look to build off this performance with a road start at Houston on Friday.
Jun 16 2014Verlander lost Monday against the Royals as he pitched six innings and allowed seven runs, 12 hits and two walks to go along with two strikeouts.Verlander has really struggled of late as he has lost each of his last three starts and seen his ERA increase from 3.99 to 4.98 over that stretch. He only has 69 strikeouts this year as well and he might break his streak of five seasons in a row with at least 200 strikeouts.
Jun 11 2014Verlander was rocked for seven runs on eight hits in a loss to the White Sox on Wednesday. He walked four and struck out six in 5.2 innings.Verlander imploded in the sixth inning when he allowed six runs on five hits and two walks before getting yanked. The former CY Young winner has given up at least five runs in five of his last six starts dating back to mid-May. His ERA has inflated from 2.67 to 4.61 over that span. Verlander will take the hill again Monday at home versus the Royals.
Jun 10 2014Verlander's start has been pushed back to Wednesday against the White Sox, MLive's James Schmehl reports.After Tuesday's game was rained out, Verlander will pitch on an extra day of rest against John Danks on Wednesday. Drew Smyly's scheduled start Wednesday will be skipped and he will instead take the mound Sunday.
Jun 10 2014Verlander will likely pitch Wednesday, after Tuesday's game against the White Sox was postponed due to rain.The game won't be made up during this series, and it seems unlikely that the Tigers would skip Verlander's start. We'll offer an update when Wednesday's starter is confirmed.
Jun 5 2014Verlander (6-5) took one on the chin again Thursday against Toronto, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits over seven innings. He walked four and struck out four.At this point, you have to wonder whether Verlander's nursing some kind of injury, because his skills simply shouldn't be declining this sharply. He did have offseason shoulder surgery, after all. Verlander's strikeout rate has fallen dramatically, his walk rate has risen markedly, and he's more hittable than he's ever been. It doesn't get any easier against Jose Abreu and the White Sox in Chicago on Tuesday.
May 30 2014Verlander pitched 7.2 innings allowing three earned runs on five hits, while walking one and striking out seven facing the Mariners on Friday night.It was a nice bounceback start for Verlander, who has really suffered of late giving up 16 runs over 17.3 innings pitched prior to the solid effort on Friday. Verlander got ahead of hitters throwing first-pitch strikes to 21 of the 29 hitters he faced. Look for Verlander to continue his success as he faces the Blue Jays on Thursday.
May 25 2014Verlander (5-4) was knocked around again Sunday, allowing 11 hits, nine runs (six earned) and three walks with just one strikeout.Verlander has now allowed five or more earned runs in each of his past three outings, and has given up exactly 11 hits in back-to-back starts. Fantasy owners in search of optimism can look to his 3.46 FIP and career-high .321 BABIP, although it isn't much consolation at this point. He'll look to rebound from this stretch of shaky starts next Friday in Seattle.
May 20 2014Verlander (5-3) was touched up for five earned runs on 11 hits while walking three and fanning just two in a six-inning loss to the Indians on Tuesday.The 11 knocks were the most he's allowed all season. More concerning was Verlander's ability to toss just 13-of-30 first-pitch strikes, which inevitably led to the double-digit hits from being behind in the count so often. His ERA (3.55) is now hovering right around his career average of 3.40, which he'll look to improve upon next time out Sunday against Texas.
May 14 2014Verlander struck out four and walked three while giving up five runs on six hits over six innings Wednesday against Baltimore, but picked up his fifth win of the season.Without his best stuff Wednesday, Verlander made it through six frames for the fifth consecutive start. His velocity remains in line with the reduced levels he showed in April and May last season, which carried through July before Verlander made a mechanical adjustment that enabled him to regain his form down the stretch and in the playoffs. Through nine starts, his walk rate (3.6 BB/9, 9.2% BB%) is at its highest level since 2008 while his strikeout rate (7.1 K/9, 18.8% K%) is at its lowest level since 2006. Perhaps the time lost while recovering from offseason core muscle repair surgery has prevented Verlander from building up his usual strength thus far, but the peripherals are disappointing nonetheless.
May 9 2014Verlander allowed two runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out five over seven innings of a 2-1 loss to Minnesota on Friday night.Now 4-2 with a snappy 2.67 ERA, he was locked in a pitcher's duel with the Twins' Phil Hughes before giving up a two-out, two-run single to Kurt Suzuki that broke a scoreless tie. He has hasn't been as dominant as the Verlander of past seasons, but he has been steady and will try to get back in the win column against the Orioles in Baltimore in his next start.
May 4 2014Verlander picked up his fourth win of the season Sunday, allowing four hits, three earned runs an four walks with seven strikeouts over seven innings.Verlander took a no-hitter into the sixth frame, but the Royals' hitters were eventually able to get to him during their third time through the order. At that point he already had a seven-run lead, so he was never at risk of losing the win. The four free passes issued matched a season-high, and is a bit concerning, seeing as he's given up three or more walks in four starts this season, but fantasy owners surely can't complain about his 2.68 ERA and 4-1 record. Verlander's strikeout numbers are down just a bit this season, but other than that, he's been the ace fantasy owners have come to expect.
Apr 29 2014Verlander gave up three earned runs on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts in seven innings Tuesday against the White Sox.Jose Quintana matched Verlander on Tuesday, and neither starter walked away with a decision, but Verlander was his typical quality self. He'll take the mound again Sunday against in Kansas City, sporting a 3-1 record and a 2.48 ERA.
Apr 27 2014Verlander will not start Sunday in the wake of a postponement due to weather-related reasons, MLive.com's Chris Iott reports.With inclement weather hitting Minnesota, the two teams will attempt to make up the game at a later date. Verlander misses out on a two-start week as a result.
Apr 22 2014Verlander gave up two runs on eight hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in seven innings Tuesday against the White Sox, improving to 3-1 on the season.After giving up a solo home run to Jose Abreu in the first inning, Verlander was able to be pretty stingy the rest of the way, despite allowing plenty of base-runners. He threw a season-high 119 pitches and struck out seven-plus for the third straight game. He'll have a favorable matchup in his next start Sunday in Minnesota.
Apr 17 2014Verlander (2-1) threw 113 pitches in just five innings Thursday, but earned the win against Cleveland, allowing three runs -- all unearned -- on six hits and four walks. He struck out seven.Verlander's got a very nice-looking 2.08 ERA this year despite having given up an unpleasant total of 35 baserunners in 26 innings -- a 1.35 WHIP. His four unearned runs are a big reason for that. Despite his decent-looking line, Verlander hasn't quite been himself in the early going.
Apr 13 2014Verlander will start Thursday against the Indians rather than Friday against the Angels, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.Rick Porcello was previously scheduled to start Thursday's game, but he'll slide back into the Anaheim series -- likely Saturday -- while Max Scherzer will presumably take the ball on regular rest Friday.
Apr 13 2014Verlander picked up his first win of the season Saturday, allowing two earned runs while fanning eight on eight hits in seven innings against the Padres.Although not fantasy relevant, the veteran hurler actually picked up his first -- and second -- hits of his major league career with two singles. It was nice to see him bump up his K totals on the mound too, as he had just five combined in two starts prior to Saturday. He'll face the Angels on Friday in his next start.
Apr 4 2014Verlander's second start of the season will come Sunday against the Orioles, Mlive.com reports.Thursday's rain out forced the Tigers to make some tweaks to their rotation, but Verlander will remain the scheduled starter for Sunday's tilt at home against Baltimore.
Mar 17 2014Verlander was named the Tigers' Opening Day starter Monday, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.Verlander will receive the Opening Day nod for the seventh straight season. He dealt with an abdominal injury early in camp, but he proved during Sunday's spring game that he is now healthy, giving up just one hit over five scoreless innings.
Mar 11 2014Verlander (abdomen) will make his first start of the spring Tuesday against the Blue Jays, MLive.com reports.Verlander was penciled in to start last Thursday but the game was rained out, though he was able to fire 45 pitches in a side session to stay on schedule. He'll finally make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday, and while manager Brad Ausmus left some wiggle room in regard to the right-hander's workload, he said he expects Verlander to throw around 50-55 pitches. Verlander said recently that his core muscle injuries, which were surgically-repaired in January, may have affected his mechanics last season.
Mar 11 2014Verlander (abdomen) allowed one hit and walked two over 3.2 scoreless innings against the Blue Jays on Tuesday in his first start of the spring. He struck out two.After throwing 52 pitches in his first Grapefruit League outing of 2014, Verlander appears to be officially on track to open the regular season on time. The right-hander underwent core muscle repair surgery in January, and his first scheduled spring start was rained out, but barring an unforeseen setback, Verlander will likely toe the rubber either March 31 or Apr. 2 against Kansas City.
Mar 7 2014Verlander (abdomen) believes that his core muscle injuries may have led to mechanical issues in 2013, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.Verlander's 2013 ERA (3.46) and WHIP (1.32) were five-year lows for him, as it was clear something wasn't right with the 31-year-old. His hope is that the early-January core muscle repair surgery will help fix his mechanical issues, as he attempts to break the habits formed in 2013 while he was pitching injured. He's been throwing from a mound without any issues so far this spring, suggesting he's on pace to start the season. A fully healthy Verlander would be a dream come true for fantasy owners, and a nightmare for opposing hitters.
Mar 6 2014Verlander (abdomen) is scheduled to start Thursday's game but it is likely to be rained out, MLive.com reports.With showers and thunderstorms expected through mid-afternoon, Verlander is likely to throw in the cages rather than make his first spring start. He's expected to throw around 45 pitches. This figures to push Verlander's spring debut back to next week, but he's progressed nicely from core muscle repair surgery and appears on track for the start of the season.
Mar 6 2014Verlander's (abdomen) 45 pitch bullpen session went well, James Schmehl of the MLive Media Group reports.Verlander was scheduled to make his spring training debut on Thursday but the game was called due to rain. Verlander used the bullpen session to work on his mechanics, something he struggled with last season en route to his 3.46 ERA.
Mar 6 2014Verlander (abdomen) was scheduled to make his first spring start Thursday but the game has been rained out, James Schmehl of MLive.com reports.Verlander's spring debut will have to wait but he won't really be delayed at all, as he's still expected to throw about 45 pitches in the cage Thursday. Barring any setbacks, the right-hander should pitch in a game early next week.
Mar 2 2014Verlander (abdomen) is scheduled to make his first start of the spring Thursday against Philadelphia, MLive.com reports.Verlander made it through a 30-pitch bullpen session Sunday without issue, and thus cleared the final hurdle necessary to make his first spring start. Core muscle repair surgery in January seemed likely to jeopardize Verlander's status for the start of the year, but barring a setback, he figures to be back at full strength come April.
Feb 28 2014Verlander (abdomen) threw a 55-pitch bullpen session on Friday morning, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.Verlander's command showed noticeable improvement during Friday's session, according to pitching coach Jeff Jones, which is another good sign the flamethrower is nearing a normal routine. Tigers' manager Brad Ausmus noted on Thursday that Verlander could be ready for the team's opening series, and Friday's workout progress is right in line with this statement. Barring any setbacks, it looks like Verlander shouldn't have to miss much, if any, time to start the year.
Feb 27 2014Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Verlander (abdomen) could be ready for the first week of the regular season with no setbacks, the Detroit News reports.Barring any setbacks, Verlander would be good for right around 100 pitches based on the Tigers' current progression plan the team has mapped out for their ace. He might not be able to make the Opening Day start this year, but Verlander is currently looking like a good bet to be ready for the opening series.
Feb 24 2014Verlander (abdomen) threw a bullpen session Monday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.Verlander was estimated to throw around 49 pitches in his latest bullpen session as he recovers from core muscle repair surgery. Manager Brad Ausmus estimates that Verlander will only miss one spring start, which would be a nice pace for the Tigers' flamethrower.
Feb 21 2014Verlander (abdomen) threw a 60-pitch bullpen session Friday, Chris Iott of MLive.com reports.In what was Verlander's fifth bullpen session already this spring, the right-hander fired 60 pitches and will now look ahead to a live batting practice session Monday. New Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Thursday that he expects Verlander to miss only one spring start, so it seems he will be ready for the start of the season, barring a setback.
Feb 20 2014Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Thursday that he expects Verlander (abdomen) to miss only one spring start, James Schmehl of MLive.com reports.On the six-week anniversary of Verlander's core muscle repair surgery, Ausmus said he expects the right-hander to be ready soon after Grapefruit League action gets underway. Verlander just threw 54 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday, his fourth bullpen of the spring. The former Cy Young winner's fantasy stock figures to rise as the season gets closer.
Feb 18 2014Verlander (abdomen) threw a 54-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday, James Schmehl of MLive.com reports.Verlander continues to be right on track in his rehab following core muscle surgery, as this was his fourth session since having the procedure. Despite only being expected to throw 45-50 pitches, Verlander tossed a total of 54, suggesting that he is feeling good and may be ahead of schedule. As the 30-year-old continues to increase his workload, the previous notion that he may be unavailable for opening day looks to be fading away.
Feb 16 2014Verlander (abdomen) participated in every baseball exercise Sunday, James Schmehl of MLive.com reports.After throwing a 41-pitch bullpen session Saturday, his third bullpen session of the spring, Verlander was back on the field with his teammates Sunday and reportedly wasn't limited in any way. It's another great sign that Verlander's recovery from January core muscle repair surgery is going well, and while his availability for Opening Day is still uncertain, his chances are looking better with each passing day.
Feb 15 2014Verlander (abdomen) threw a 41-pitch bullpen session Saturday and said afterwards that it went well, MLive.com reports. "It felt good," Verlander said. "Really, it's kind of getting to the point where I don't even feel anything in my hips or my groin. Everything feels good. I'm starting to just completely forget about it and focusing on getting my arm ready."Verlander noted that while he threw one more pitch than he was supposed to, he normally goes over by six or seven. He seems to be progressing as expected, if not better, in his recovery from January core muscle repair surgery. It's far too soon to call him a lock for Opening Day, but he's headed in the right direction, having already thrown three bullpen sessions this spring.
Feb 11 2014Verlander (abdomen) threw 20 pitches off a mound Monday, Chris Iott of MLive.com reports.Verlander said his return to elevated ground, following core muscle repair surgery last month, went very well and that he feels good. He's put together a plan with pitching coach Jeff Jones for him to pitch in five spring training games, and if everything goes as expected, Verlander hopes to be ready to start the year.
Jan 25 2014Velander (abdomen) will begin a throwing progression in Lakeland on Monday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said that he anticipates Verlander will be ready, if he goes through a normal healing process following core repair surgery earlier this month. What specifically Verlander will be ready for is somewhat unclear from Dombrowski's comments, but it sounds like there is still a chance that he'll be close to a typical schedule during spring training and have an opportunity to be available when the regular season begins, barring a setback.
Jan 24 2014Verlander (abdominal) may miss the beginning of 2014, according to Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski, MLB.com reports.Verlander has started the past five Opening Days for the Tigers, but it appears this streak may be in jeopardy as he recovers from core muscle repair surgery. He underwent surgery in the beginning of January and was given an approximate six-week timetable for recovery. The team says Verlander is progressing well in his rehab, but Dombrowski still asserts that "we don't want him to push too hard." He should still be healthy for the majority of the season, but drafting Verlander this year clearly comes with more risk attached to it than it has in the past.
Jan 9 2014Verlander underwent what is being called "core muscle repair surgery" on Thursday morning, MLive.com's James Schmehl reports.Verlander will require approximately six weeks to rehab after surgery, which could potentially put his status for Opening Day in jeopardy, depending on how the the 30-year-old's body responds. Although the Tigers anticipate Verlander being able to take part in spring training, he will likely be on a rehab schedule through the first week, provided he doesn't suffer any setbacks. This announcement makes drafting him early a potentially risky move, as the veteran already began to regress in a bit in 2013, posting a higher ERA (3.46) and WHIP (1.32) than he has over the past five seasons.
Oct 16 2013Verlander dominated the Red Sox but was the tough-luck loser in Game 3 of the ALCS. He finished with 10 strikeouts and one walk while surrendering one run on four hits over eight innings.Despite the losing effort, Verlander continued his post season dominance. Over three postseason starts, Verlander has compiled a 0.39 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 23 innings. His next turn is currently scheduled for Game 7, if necessary.
Oct 16 2013Verlander dominated the Red Sox but was the tough-luck loser in Tuesday's Game 3 loss, finishing with 10 strikeouts and one walk while surrendering one run on four hits over eight innings.Despite the losing effort, Verlander continued his post season dominance. Over three postseason starts, Verlander has compiled a 0.39 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 23 innings. His next turn is currently scheduled for Game 7, if necessary.
Oct 11 2013Verlander dominated the Athletics in Game 5 of the ALDS, hurling eight shutout innings while striking out 10 and walking one.Verlander carried a no hitter into the seventh inning and was rarely challenged by the Athletics. Despite a somewhat mediocre fantasy season (by his standards, at least), Verlander has turned it on at the right time for the Tigers. Inlcuding his two playoff starts against he Athletics, Verlander has made four straight scoreless appearances while posting a 43:6 K:BB ratio over his past 27 innings.
Oct 11 2013Verlander will start Game 3 of the ALCS against the Red Sox, ESPN's Buster Olney reports.Verlander had a start for the ages in Game 5 of the ALDS against the A's on Thursday. He finished with 10 strikeouts over eight shutout innings before handing over the keys to the bullpen to finish the game. In his one start against the Red Sox this season, he took a no-decision after allowing four runs on seven hits over five innings.
Oct 9 2013Verlander will start Thursday's Game 5 of the ALDS against Oakland, MLB.com reports.Tigers' skipper Jim Leyland turned to 21-game winner Max Scherzer to pitch the seventh and eighth innings of Tuesday's Game 4, so it will be Verlander who toes the rubber in Game 5. By his own admission, Verlander struggled to find himself all year, but the right-hander turned it up in his first outing of the postseason, allowing just four hits over seven shutout innings in Game 2.
Oct 1 2013Verlander will start Game 2 of the ALDS, Chris Iott of MLive.com reports.While Verlander wasn't nearly as sharp this season as he was the past two years, his final numbers are still very respectable (3.46 ERA, 8.9 K/9). The Tigers will head into the ALDS with arguably the best 1-2 combo of starting pitchers in the postseason, as Verlander will follow Cy Young favorite Max Scherzer.
Sep 23 2013Verlander pitched well in a no-decision Monday night, shutting out the Twins over six innings and striking out 12.Verlander hasn't been himself this season, but the Tigers' ace has two games of 6+ innings and zero runs this month alone. The owner of a 3.56 ERA, Verlander will get one more tuneup start before the postseason when he faces the Marlins this weekend.
Sep 18 2013Verlander allowed three runs on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts over seven innings Wednesday against the Mariners.Verlander took the loss to drop to 13-12 on the season. He crossed the 200-inning plateau on the year for the seventh straight season. He is also five strikeouts away from a fifth-straight season with 200 punch-outs. He has struggled with his command this season, but will be a key piece in the playoffs again for the Tigers. Verlander makes his next start Monday against the Twins on the road.
Sep 13 2013Verlander gave up three runs on nine hits with no walks and seven strikeouts over 6.2 innings and earned his first win in over a month as the Tigers beat the Royals 6-3 on Friday.It was Verlander's 13th win of what has been a down year for the Cy Young award-winning right-hander. It was just his second quality start in his last five outings and has an ERA of 3.84 on the year with 189 strikeouts over 199.1 innings which is obviously lower than what his strikeout rate has been over the last few seasons. Though we're not seeing vintage Verlander, he still remains a must-start, especially with a match-up against Seattle next week.
Sep 7 2013Verlander allowed four runs over seven innings and was the losing pitcher Satuday against the Royals.He gave up eight hits while walking one and striking out seven. The Tigers have now lost six straight games in which Verlander has started, even though Verlander has had just two starts in which he has allowed four or more runs over that span. The loss drops his record to 12-11 on the season to accompany a 3.64 ERA and 182 strikeouts.
Sep 2 2013Verlander tossed seven scoreless innings Sunday, giving up four hits and two walks to go with six strikeouts, but the Tigers fell to the Indians.The right-hander looked like the Verlander of old, but a ninth-inning grand slam off closer Joaquin Benoit nixed his attempt at his first victory in six starts. During that stretch, Verlander is a subpar, for him at least, 0-2 with a 3.97 ERA, 1.264 WHIP, and 30:11 K:BB ratio in 34 frames. He'll look to uphold Sunday's success when he next takes the mound Saturday in Kansas City, where his last outing did not proceed according to plan - five earned runs with a 3:4 K:BB ratio in 5.2 innings during his first post-break nod.
Aug 27 2013Verlander (12-10) lasted just five innings Tuesday against Oakland, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks.The game was called on account of rain, but Verlander was already gone after needing 104 pitches to struggle through five innings. That's two rough outings in a row for him, just when it looked like he was starting to get things together. Verlander's now given up five homers in his last four starts; he'd surrendered just 12 in his first 24.
Aug 22 2013Verlander took a step back Thursday, giving up six runs on 10 hits and three walks in a loss to the Twins.He struck out six and avoided the loss, but those are pretty small silver linings to an uneven outing for Verlander, who'd been looking more like his old self in his prior four starts. He's certainly had his struggles this year, and after a six-run outing against the not-so-hot Minnesota offense, it's hard to know what to expect going forward.
Aug 16 2013Verlander took the loss in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Royals despite giving up just two runs over eight innings. He allowed seven hits and two walks while striking out six.It was a tough-luck loss for Verlander, who received just one run of support from the offense. Opposing pitcher Danny Duffy out-dueled Verlander through the first six innings of Friday's contest, and the Royals' bullpen nailed down the win with just one hit over the final three frames. While Verlander hasn't look quite like himself this season, he has only posted an ERA over 4.00 in one month, and he's now turned in quality starts in four of his last five outings.
Aug 11 2013Verlander tossed seven innings and allowed four runs on seven hits but did total nine strikeouts in a no-decision against the Yankees on Sunday.Verlander allowed a pair of home runs in the start and tossed 113 pitches. It broke a streak of two consecutive quality starts. His next matchup on the mound is more favorable as he faces the Royals at home on Friday.
Aug 7 2013Verlander claimed a fixed flaw in his delivery led to his return to form against the Indians on Tuesday night, Mlive.com reports.The flaw in question was Verlander's left leg, which was landing about five to six inches away from his usual spot. He put in extra work prior to Tuesday's start to fix the mechanical error and the results were extremely positive -- eight innings, one run, seven strikeouts and zero walks. Hopefully Verlander's mechanical tweaks are the answer to his recent woes and we see him build off of Tuesday's start to return to his usual dominate form.
Aug 6 2013Verlander (12-8) was back to looking like himself Tuesday, holding the Indians to a run on four hits over eight innings while striking out seven.How badly had Verlander been struggling? This was his highest strikeout total in a game since June 12, bookending a nine-start stretch in which he fanned six or fewer every time out and often struggled with walks. That makes this outing an even more welcome sight for Verlander owners, most of whom spent a high draft pick (or a lot of auction dollars) to secure the services of the ace we all expect him to be.
Jul 25 2013Verlander (10-8) was lit up for seven runs on 11 hits and two walks over six innings Thursday in a loss to the White Sox.He struck out just four batters, marking the eighth consecutive game that he's failed to fan more than five. For the sake of comparison, that happened only six times last year. Meanwhile, Verlander, who said before the start that he'd discovered a mechanical flaw on tape, said he felt like this outing was a move in the right direction. Of course, that's a small consolation to fantasy owners who have suffered through their ace getting blown up in every other start lately. His ERA is starting to verge on ugliness, as it's all the way up to 3.99, the highest it's been since way back in June 2010.
Jul 20 2013Verlander (quadriceps) allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits in only 5.2 innings Saturday to take his seventh loss of the season.Perhaps the most troubling feature of his stat line was the fact that he had more walks (four) than strikeouts (three) -- the first time he had an uneven K:BB ratio all season. In fact, that had not happened in a start since June 19, 2012. He suffered with a quad issue in his final start before the All-Star break, but that did not appear to be an issue in this one.
Jul 19 2013Verlander (quadriceps) is in line to make his scheduled start Saturday in Kansas City, MLive.com reports.Verlander left his final start before the break due to a tight right quad, but the ailment does not seem to be one that is lingering. Considering he racked up six no-hit frames in the outing before a seventh-inning double, he should be his usual crisp self Saturday. Since a rough month of May -- 6.41 ERA in 26.2 innings -- he has tossed six quality starts in nine appearances.
Jul 14 2013Verlander exited after seven shutout innings in Sunday's game against the Rangers with right quadriceps tightness, MLive.com reports.Verlander had a no-hitter going through six innings and probably would have been cleared to continue if the milestone was still intact, but after Mitch Moreland doubled to right field with two outs in the seventh, Verlander completed the inning and was removed. He had already compiled 105 pitches and left the game in line for the win, so manager Jim Leyland wasn't going to take any chances with Verlander once the no-no was broken up. The injury sounds minor and the All-Star break should provide a sufficient amount of time for Verlander to recover before he takes the mound again. He's scheduled to make his next start Saturday against the Royals.
Jul 9 2013Verlander gave up five earned runs on 12 hits and one walk in seven innings with three strikeouts Tuesday against the White Sox.The 12 hits marked a season high for Verlander, while the three Ks equaled a season low, and the fact that it came against the lowly White Sox at home, doesn't begin to offer any explanations. His 3.03 FIP coming into play offers some hope to his owners that he could have a better second half, but it's completely feasible that he will simply be the pitcher we saw in 2009 and 2010 -- still an ace when you factor in the innings -- just not the best pitcher in baseball, like he was the previous two seasons. He'll close out the first half Sunday at home against the Rangers.
Jul 4 2013Verlander threw seven scoreless innings at Toronto on Thursday to earn his ninth win of the season. He scattered three hits, walked two and struck out five.Verlander was handed an early lead, and he cruised, never really being tested by a potent Blue Jays lineup. He's been really up-and-down this season, especially lately; two of his previous three starts were short outings. He looked sharp Thursday, however, earning his first win since June 7,
Jun 30 2013Verlander picked up his third no-decision in four starts Saturday, allowing three runs (two earned) while striking out four and walking four in eight innings against the Rays.While Saturday's outing was somewhat uneven, Verlander did make some strides to break out of his recent struggles. He pitched eight innings for the first time this season and had a solid arsenal working before giving up a game-tying solo shot to Luke Scott. Verlander still has a ways to go before returning to his dominate fantasy production of past seasons, but he's still providing plenty of value with 114 strikeouts, eight wins and a 3.77 ERA through his first 17 starts of the season.
Jun 23 2013Verlander took a no-decision Sunday against the Red Sox after throwing five innings and allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks, raising his ERA to 3.90 on the year.Verlander lasted only five innings for the second outing in a row and has walked seven over that span. The Tigers' ace will look to get back on track in his next start on Saturday against the Rays.
Jun 18 2013Verlander got touched up for five earned runs on seven hits and four walks with five Ks in five innings Tuesday, taking the loss against the Orioles.He is not immune to an occasional rough outing, but Tuesday marked just the second time this season that Verlander has walked four or more batters. Interestingly, he has yet to pitch more than 7.1 innings in 2013, but there's still no debating his status as one of the most elite pitchers in fantasy, and he's likely to post better numbers Sunday against the Red Sox.
Jun 12 2013Verlander was sterling Wednesday against the Royals but ultimately walked away with a no-decision after pitching seven shutout innings and striking out eight batters.Verlander left with a 2-0 lead after scattering three singles and two walks in a 117-pitch effort, never allowing a runner to advance past first base. Unfortunately, relievers Drew Smyly and Jose Valverde each allowed a run to tie the game at two apiece and deny Verlander his ninth win of the season.
Jun 7 2013Verlander allowed three runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out six over seven innings of a 7-5 win over Cleveland on Friday night.After a couple of starts in late May where he was knocked around, he has put up back-to-back quality starts, and this one was probably better than the box score suggests. He was in command other than a three-run uprising in the fifth inning that included a key hit going off the heal of Torii Hunter's glove.
Jun 1 2013Verlander improved his record on the year to 7-4 with seven innings of three-run ball against the Orioles on Saturday. He allowed eight hits and one walk while striking out five.Detroit's bats provided Verlander plenty of run support, as the team put up an eight-spot in the fourth inning. He was taken deep twice, both times by shortstop J.J. Hardy, but it was a second straight quality start for Verlander. The Tigers' ace appears to be back on track after giving up 13 runs in two starts prior to Monday.
May 27 2013Verlander stuck out 13 batters and gave up three runs over seven innings to pick up his sixth win of the season against the Pirates on Monday.Verlander ran into some trouble in the seventh inning, but he was dominant throughout most of Monday's outing, and now owns an impressive 11.2 K/9 mark for the season. He broke up a run of three consecutive sub-par performances and will try to keep the good vibes going in Baltimore on Saturday.
May 22 2013Verlander labored through five innings Wednesday against the Indians, allowing five earned runs on ten hits. He struck out nine and walked one.He needed 110 pitches to get through five innings, and was knocked around by a very hot Indians lineup. He'll look to rebound in his next start on Monday at home against the Pirates.
May 16 2013Verlander lasted just 2.2 innings at Texas on Thursday, allowing eight runs and six hits with three strikeouts.Verlander looked fine early, but surrendered seven runs in the third inning, including five with two outs. He also walked two batters with the bases loaded, so he obviously didn't have his best stuff. The powerful righty was throwing hard Thursday, unofficially topping out at 99 mph, but the results weren't there. After tossing back-to-back clunkers, Verlander will look to bounce back next week at Cleveland.
May 11 2013Verlander struggled with command of his fastball Saturday, giving up three earned runs, five walks, and six hits while striking out seven in five innings.Verlander hadn't given up three or more runs in a game since April 7, and this was his shortest outing since Opening Day. Don't read too much into this start. It was simply a bad outing, and Verlander should rebound in his next start when he takes on the Rangers.
May 5 2013Verlander improved to 4-2 on the year on Sunday with a win against Houston. He pitched seven strong innings, giving up just two hits and striking out nine.Though he needed 116 pitches to get through seven innings against the Astros, don't be fooled, as Verlander did not allow a hit until the seventh inning. After concerns about everything from velocity to a blister on his hand, Verlander gave fantasy owners a much-needed confidence booster with a completely dominant performance. He'll look to continue rolling in his next start which comes at home against the Indians on Saturday.
May 3 2013Verlander isn't concerned about his early season drop in velocity, the Detroit Free Press reports.Verlander's fastball has dropped from 94.3 mph last year to 92.1 mph this season. He has been able to ramp it up to the 96-97 mph range a few times this season, but Verlander hasn't shown off any of his triple-digit heaters this season. There's a good chance Verlander's fastball will start gaining more steam as the weather heats up, and it's not like owners have any thing to complain about with his production (1.83 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 41:11 K:BB ratio in 39 innings). It's worth monitoring Verlander's velocity from a distance, but owners shouldn't be too concerned about the issue.
Apr 30 2013Verlander gave up one earned run on five hits and two walks in seven innings Tuesday while striking out eight Twins to get his third win of the season.Verlander left his last start after seven innings with a blister near his fingernail on his right thumb, but it didn't appear to be an issue Tuesday, and he should have no trouble overpowering the free-swinging Astros in his next start Sunday.
Apr 25 2013Tigers manager Jim Leyland said that Verlander left with a blister near his fingernail on his left thumb and it should not affect his next start.Verlander looked solid in his seven innings against the Royals on Thursday before exiting with the injury. His velocity on his fastball topped out at 95 mph in the first inning and hovered between 89-93 most of the game possibly indicating the thumb was slightly irritating. All indications look like he is fine for his next start on Tuesday at home against the Twins.
Apr 25 2013Verlander left Thursday's game against the Royals after seven innings with cracked skin on his right thumb.Verlander was cruising through the first seven innings, but had already thrown 96 pitches in the outing when he was removed. The injury seems minor, given that he went fairly deep into the game, but we'll consider him day-to-day for now.
Apr 18 2013Verlander (2-2) struck out 12 over seven innings Thursday against the Mariners, allowing two runs on nine hits and a walk, but got no offensive support in the loss.Verlander's been his typical dominant self to start the season, but the Tigers have been shut out in two of his four starts -- hence the pair of losses.
Apr 13 2013Verlander gave up one run on three hits and three walks and struck out six batters over 6.0 innings in a win over the Athletics on Saturday.An RBI single by Derek Norris in the second inning was the extent of the damage allowed by Verlander. Though he didn't go beyond six innings, it was another strong performance for the right-hander, and he'll now look ahead to his next start, Friday against the Angels.
Apr 8 2013Verlander allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks over 7.1 innings, striking out in Sunday's loss to the Yankees.It wasn't a bad game overall for Verlander, but he got zero runs of support from the Tigers' offense. The one he'd like to give back was a two-run homer by Jayson Nix, but nothing from this start has changed his overall value.
Apr 1 2013Verlander struck out seven and walked two while giving up three hits over five shutout innings in an Opening Day victory over Minnesota.After throwing 91 pitches in five frames, Verlander's day ended a bit earlier than expected (perhaps because of the cold conditions at Target Field on Monday). Still, he came with away with a very good outing and a victory to boot, so there's little to complain about here.
Mar 29 2013Verlander and the Tigers agreed to a five-year contract extension on Friday, Tigers Dir. of Media Relations Brian Britten reports.Verlander's contract will be tacked onto his current deal and run through the 2019 season. The deal also includes a $22 million vesting option for the 2020 season, giving him a potential maximum salary of $202 million over the next eight seasons. Verlander has been one of the top pitchers in the game the last couple seasons, and will be paid as such for the foreseeable future. He will make his 2013 debut Monday against the Twins.
Mar 29 2013Verlander will start Monday's season opener against the Twins, Mlive.com reports.No surprise here, as Verlander has been the Tigers' Opening Day starter five year running. He's primed to be one of the best arms in all of fantasy again this year.
Mar 29 2013Verlander with start Monday's season opener against the Twins, Mlive.com reports.No surprise here, as Verlander has been the Tigers' Opening Day starter five year running. He's primed to be one of the best arms in all of fantasy again this year.
Mar 23 2013Verlander said that he will not engage in contract negotiations once the regular season begins, CBSSports.com reports.Verlander still has two years remaining on his current contract, so it isn't exactly a pressing matter and shouldn't affect his fantasy value. The Tigers and Verlander will probably try to work something out after the 2013 season.
Mar 7 2013Verlander hurled four shutout innings Wednesday against the Blue Jays.Verlander has been lights-out this spring, allowing one run over nine innings while striking our eight and walking one. He's primed to be one of the best starters in fantasy once again this season.
Feb 11 2013Verlander will not pitch in the World Baseball Classic, USA Today reports.The decision undoubtedly pleases his employers, who would hate to see their ace suffer any sort of injury that wasn't under their watch. He'll take part in his normal spring training regimen and should again rank among the more dominant pitchers in the game.
Oct 26 2012Verlander will not start Sunday's Game 4 of the World Series on short rest, the Detroit News reports.Though Verlander pitched just four innings in Wednesday's Game 1, the Tigers won't put their ace at risk by having him go in Game 4. "He's coming back in Game 5, I hope," manager Jim Leyland said Friday.
Oct 25 2012Verlander was tagged for five runs while pitching just four innings in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday.Needless to say, Wednesday's effort was not a vintage Verlander performance. He allowed six hits, including two homers to Pablo Sandoval. Verlander's next opportunity to help the Tigers win a championship is scheduled to come in Game 5.
Oct 17 2012Verlander led the Tigers to a 3-0 series lead over the Yankees on Tuesday, allowing just one run over 8.1 innings.Prior to allowing a solo shot to Eduardo Nunez in the ninth inning, Verlander and the rest of the Tigers' starting rotation had hurled 30.1 consecutive scoreless innings. Verlander didn't have his best stuff Tuesday, racking up just three strikeouts, but he still held the Yankees' offense to only three hits while walking none. If the Tigers can close out the series prior to Game 7, Verlander's next start would come in Game 1 of the World Series.
Oct 12 2012Verlander is scheduled to start Game 3 of the ALCS, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.Verlander pitched a complete game shutout in Game 5 of the ALDS on Thursday. He'll likely square off against CC Sabathia on Tuesday in a battle of baseball's top aces.
Oct 12 2012Verlander led the Tigers to an ALDS win over the Athletics on Thursday, hurling a complete game shutout while striking out 11 and walking one.Verlander proved again why many pundits believe he's the best pitcher on the planet right now. His next playoff start is expected to come in Game 3 of the ALCS.
Oct 7 2012Verlander hurled seven innings of one-run ball in Saturday's ALDS win over the Athletics. He finished with 11 strikeouts and four walks.Coco Crisp led off the game with a solo blast, but Verlander quickly righted the ship and shutdown Oakland the rest of the way. Verlander's next turn is scheduled to come in Game 5 of the ALDS.
Oct 3 2012Verlander will start Game 1 of the Tigers' first round playoff series, the Detroit Free Press reports.No surprise here, as Detroit has had Verlander locked into this spot for weeks. Should the Tigers' first round series extend to five games, Verlander will be able to make a second start on his regular rest.
Sep 29 2012Verlander moved to 17-8 on the season after holding the Twins to an unearned run on four hits and two walks while striking out eight in Saturday's 6-4 win.Verlander stayed in the game in the eighth inning, but was removed after Denard Span, the first batter of the inning, reached on a throwing error. Reliever Joaquin Benoit would go on to allow a grand slam, leaving Verlander with an unearned run. His 2012 season may not be as dominant as last season's AL MVP campaign, but with a 2.64 ERA and 239 strikeouts this season, it's difficult to complain about his production.
Sep 19 2012Verlander pitched 6 scoreless innings in a 6-2 Tigers' win over the Athletics Wednesday.Verlander struggled a bit as the Athletics made him work Wednesday. He only struck out five and walked three in six innings. However, he escaped any damage. Verlander has the ability to shut teams down even when not at his best. His next start comes against the Royals.
Sep 14 2012Verlander tossed seven shutout innings, allowing six hits and a walk while striking out six as the Tigers downed Cleveland 4-0 Friday night.The lesson here is to avoid facing Verlander after he has suffered through a poor outing - it just makes him mad. He has had a couple of shaky performances in his last four starts, but has been his usual dominating self in the other two. He'll take his 14-8 record and 2.82 ERA into his next start at home against Oakland.
Sep 8 2012Verlander allowed six runs (all earned) over six innings and was the losing pitcher Saturday against the Angels.He gave up nine hits while walking two and striking out three. A very rare rough start for Verlander, who really got off to a poor start when he surrendered four runs in the first inning. Over his last three starts he has allowed 15 earned runs while striking out 20 and walking eight.
Sep 3 2012Verlander pushed the Tigers into a first place tie with the White Sox on Sunday, limiting the division rival to one run on four hits while striking out 11 and walking two in eight innings.Verlander bounced back from one of the worst outings of his career to his regular dominate form. The reigning Cy Young and MVP award winner is 13-7 with a 2.73 ERA and a major league-leading 209 strikeouts.
Aug 28 2012Verlander got roughed up Tuesday by the Royals, giving up eight earned runs on 12 hits in 5.2 innings while striking out six and issuing three walks.It might not be fair, but as close as the race is, this outing might have been enough to tip the Cy Young scales in King Felix's favor, if he wasn't already the slight favorite. The Royals didn't take him deep, but they were able to get some timely hits, as Verlander was only able to strand 46.7 percent of his baserunners. His FIP was actually lower than his season average on Friday, so it was just one of those nights. Even the best pitchers in baseball aren't immune to getting knocked around once in a great while.
Aug 12 2012Verlander allowed one run over seven innings and did not factor in the decision Saturday against the Rangers.He gave up seven hits while walking none and striking out eight. To nobody's surprise Verlander has been terrific all season, and over his last two starts he has allowed just one run over 15 innings while striking out 22. His record on the season remains at 12-7 to go along with a 2.46 ERA and 174 strikeouts.
Aug 7 2012Verlander was "fine" after getting struck in the calf by a Derek Jeter hit in the top of the seventh inning Monday, Mlive.com reports.Verlander stayed in the game, finishing with a career-high 14 strikeouts in eight innings. He admitted the calf was sore after the game, but the injury doesn't appear serious enough to cause him to miss any time. Still, it wouldn't hurt for owners to double check on Verlander's status before his next scheduled start Saturday against the Rangers.
Aug 6 2012Verlander was dominant Monday against the Yankees as he pitched eight innings and allowed two unearned runs, eight hits and one walk to go along with 14 strikeouts.After having his last start against Boston cut short by rain, Verlander threw 132 pitches Monday and earned his first win after suffering two straight losses.
Jul 31 2012Verlander's streak of 63 starts in a row with at least six innings pitched came to an end as Tuesday's contest at Boston was called off because of rain.Verlander took the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out six in five innings. While he didn't allow a home run Tuesday, he's yielded eight over his last seven starts. During that span, he's 4-3 with a 2.94 ERA, 0.962 WHIP, and 46:13 K:BB ratio across 52 innings. In his upcoming outing, Verlander will be best served limiting the long ball against the Yankees early next week.
Jul 26 2012Verlander gave up five runs and nine hits over seven innings at Cleveland on Thursday.Verlander was cruising and in line for a win heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, but fell apart, surrendering four runs in the frame. Despite the rare tough outing, Verlander still has a sparkling 2.60 ERA with 146 strikeouts in 155.2 innings.
Jul 20 2012Verlander allowed two runs on four hits, walking two and striking out six over eight innings a 4-2 Detroit win over the White Sox on Friday night.He threw 121 pitches (79 for strikes) and he was still hitting 100 mph on the gun in the eighth inning - just another night at the office for the Tigers' flame thrower. He'll take an 11-5 record and a sparkling 2.42 ERA into his next start on the road in Cleveland.
Jul 15 2012Verlander hurled eight scoreless innings Sunday, giving up three hits and two walks to go with eight strikeouts, as Detroit shut out Baltimore 4-0.This was a far cry from his All-Star game debacle, when Verlander allowed five runs in his only inning as the American League's starter. He is putting on a great mimic of last season's Cy Young performance, with his 2.43 ERA, 0.931 WHIP, and 8.70 K/9IP nearly in line with 2011's marks. Verlander takes the mound Friday against the White Sox, against whom he holds a 4.13 ERA in 172 career innings.
Jul 4 2012Verlander went the distance and was the winning pitcher Wednesday against the Twins.He allowed just one run while allowing four hits to go along with a walk and seven strikeouts. This was a great rebound start from Verlander after allowing three home runs and earning a loss in his previous start against the Rays. His ERA on the season now stands at 2.58 to accompany 128 strikeouts and 30 walks.
Jul 1 2012Verlander will make his final start before the All-Star break Wednesday against the Twins, Mlive.com reports.After the break, Verlander won't start until July 15 against the Orioles. Tigers manager Jim Leyland will slightly tweak his rotation at that time to ensure Verlander getting starts against the Indians and White Sox later in the month.
Jun 29 2012Verlander allowed four runs on six hits, walking one and striking out eight over six innings of a 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Friday night.A rather pedestrian outing for him, he was done in by three Rays home runs and needed 120 pitches (74 for strikes) to complete the six innings. He remains one of the best in baseball, and will take a 2.69 ERA into his next start at home against the Twins.
Jun 25 2012Verlander picked up his eighth win Sunday, hurling a two-run complete game against the Pirates while striking out seven and walking one.His record now sits at 8-4 with a 2.52 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 113:28 K:BB ratio in 117.2 innings. The Tigers ace continues to dominate. Roll him with the utmost confidence.
Jun 15 2012Verlander improved to 6-4 on Thursday, hurling eight innings of two-run ball while striking out eight and walking none.While he's not piling on wins at the same rate as last year, Verlander's peripherals are nearly identical up to this point of the season. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better pitcher in the American League.
Jun 10 2012Verlander picked up the no-decision Saturday, hurling six innings of two-run ball while striking out nine and walking three.Verlander's win-loss record sits at just 5-4, but he continues to pitch nearly has well as last season, compiling a 2.69 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 95:23 K:BB ratio in 93.2 innings.
Jun 9 2012Verlander, who's scheduled to start Saturday against the Reds, might have his following start pushed up from Friday to Thursday, the Detroit News reports.An off day Monday gives the Tigers the opportunity to pitch Verlander on his normal rest Thursday instead of giving him an extra day of rest. If Verlander's start is moved to Thursday, Detroit will likely skip over Casey Crosby's next scheduled start.
Jun 3 2012Verlander took the loss Sunday against the Yankees, allowing nine hits and five runs (three earned) over 6.1 innings.Although technically a quality start, this was a very poor performance by Verlander's standards. The control wasn't where it normally is (four walks), the Yankees managed two home runs, and he struck out just four batters. If anything, this just proves that these hiccups happen to even the best pitchers.
May 18 2012Verlander took a no-hitter into the ninth inning Friday, settling for a one-hit shutout against the overmatched Pirates. He walked two and struck out 12 in running his record to 5-1.Verlander hit triple-digits late in the game and threw 76 of 109 pitches for strikes. Josh Harrison broke up Verlander's no-hit bid with one out in the ninth on a soft, low line drive up the middle. He is capable of this kind of outing any time he takes the mound.
May 18 2012Verlander (thumb) is making his scheduled start Friday.There was never really any serious doubt about his availability Friday, but consider this the affirmation that Verlander will take the ball as planned against the Pirates as the Tigers open up a three-game series with the Bucs.
May 14 2012Verlander doesn't expect the broken callus on his right thumb to keep him from his next start, Mlive.com reports.Verlander said he has dealt with the issue on and off this season. Based on his stats (2.47 ERA, 56:12 K:BB ratio), the injury doesn't appear to be limiting his effectiveness. His next start is scheduled for Friday against the Pirates.
May 13 2012Verlander left Sunday's start with a broken callous on his thumb that had started to bleed, mlive.com's Chris Iott reports.Before the injury, Verlander was superb, holding the A's to one run on two hits and a walk while striking out eight.
May 2 2012Verlander struck out seven and walked one while giving up two runs on six hits over eight innings a no-decision against Kansas City.The Royals scraped together a run against Joaquin Benoit to take the lead in the top of the ninth inning. Verlander has a 42:9 K:BB over 45.1 innings (six starts), but just two wins to show for it thus far.
Apr 27 2012Verlander allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits, walking none and striking out four over six innings Friday night.He wasn't as dominant in this start, allowing two home runs and needing 102 pitches to complete the six innings, still he was in a position to pick up a win before the bullpen allowed the Yankees to come back and eventually win the game in the ninth inning. He'll get the Royals at home in his next scheduled outing.
Apr 21 2012Verlander allowed just one run (unearned) over six innings and was the winning pitcher Saturday against the Rangers.He gave up four hits while walking three and striking out eight. Although the three walks were a little high he was still able to contain a great offense that had pounded Tigers' pitching in game one of Saturday's doubleheader. The win brings his record to 2-1 on the season to go along with an ERA of 1.72 and 31 strikeouts.
Apr 16 2012Verlander earned his first win of the season Monday as the Tigers defeated the Royals, 3-2. He pitched a complete game allowing two runs, seven hits and two walks to go along with nine strikeouts.Verlander has pitched at least eight innings in each of his three starts this season after pitching 251 innings in 34 starts last season. It goes without saying that he is one of the best, if not the best, starting pitching options for fantasy owners.
Apr 5 2012Verlander struck out seven and walked one, while allowing just two hits over eight shutout innings in a no-decision against the Red Sox on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He failed to record a decision after Jose Valverde coughed up the Tigers' 2-0 lead in the top of the ninth inning. Verlander was very sharp in his season debut, throwing 105 pitches in the outing including 66 for strikes and effectively picked up right where he left off at the end of his Cy Young/MVP season a year ago.
Mar 16 2012Verlander struck out eight hitters and gave up one run in 3.2 innings against the Orioles on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has looked every bit like his 2011 Cy Young and MVP form this spring, compiling a 0.93 ERA and 13:1 K:BB ratio in 9.1 innings. Some regression should be expected after his career campaign, but Verlander remains one of the top pitchers to target on draft day.
Nov 21 2011Verlander was named the AL Most Valuable Player on Monday, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He's the first starting pitcher to take home the MVP award since Roger Clemens won in 1986. At 28, Verlander should be a fantasy stud for years to come.
Nov 17 2011Verlander won the AL Cy Young Award on Tuesday, Mlive.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: No surprise here after Verlander led the AL in wins (24), ERA (2.40), strikeouts (260), innings pitched (251) and WHIP (0.92). Verlander has developed into one of the top pitchers in all of fantasy and will cost a high price on draft day next year.
Oct 6 2011Manager Jim Leyland says Verlander is unavailable to pitch in relief for Thursday's Game 5 against the Yankees, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: We'll see if the manager can stick to his convictions if the Game is 3-3 going into the eighth inning, but for now the plan is to let the ace rest after throwing 120 pitches in Game 3, hoping the Tigers can get by with their usual bullpen and presumably have Verlander start Game 1 of the ALCS if the Tigers win.
Sep 30 2011Game 1 of the New York/Detroit ALDS was suspended due to rain with the score tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Play will resume Saturday night with Game 2, which was originally scheduled for Saturday now scheduled for Sunday, which had been an off day. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The rain delay will complicate the pitching strategies of both teams with Verlander and Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia both sitting through the prolonged delay Friday night. Verlander is now likely to start Game 3 on Monday.
Sep 24 2011Verlander allowed five runs (all earned) over seven innings and did not factor in the decision Saturday against the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He gave up eight hits while walking one and striking out six. It's quite rare not seeing Verlander's name in the win column, but on Saturday he struggled a bit with a mediocre Orioles' lineup. Verlander has still had a tremendous season and should win the AL Cy Young award, but winning AL MVP will be a stretch. He finishes the regular season with a 24-5 record to go along with an ERA of 2.40 and 250 strikeouts.
Sep 19 2011Verlander improved to 24-5 on Sunday, hurling eight innings of shutout ball while striking out six and walking three. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has now won 12 consecutive starts. He has the AL Cy Young award all but wrapped up and should receive strong consideration for the MVP award as well. The Tigers' ace will go for his 25th win of the season Saturday against the Orioles.
Sep 13 2011Verlander posted his 23rd win of the season by tossing seven scoreless innings against the White Sox on Tuesday. He scattered six hits, issued a pair of walks and struck out six. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was barely threatened, as he allowed a runner to get to third base just twice in his seven innings of work. Remarkably, he's won each of his last 11 starts, despite a couple of so-so outings sprinkled in that stretch.
Sep 7 2011Despite giving up four runs (on just three hits) Wednesday against Cleveland, Verlander earned his 22nd win of the year and 10th in a row, striking out eight and walking two over his six innings of work. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander got bitten by a couple two-run homers from Shelley Duncan, of all people, but got bailed out by a five-run seventh inning capped off by a Victor Martinez grand slam. As the AL leader in ERA, wins and strikeouts, Verlander's looking like a shoo-in for the Cy Young Award.
Sep 2 2011Verlander picked up win number 21 Friday night with 7.1 inings of seven-hit ball, allowing only one run. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander struck out six and walked one, putting together a very Verlander-esque start. He continues to justify his elite status and his ERA falls to 2.34.
Aug 27 2011Verlander became the majors' first 20-game winner of the season Saturday after he held the Twins to four runs on eight hits over six innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It wasn't Verlander's sharpest start of the season, but the Detroit bats rallied off Carl Pavano in the top of the seventh to secure the W. The Tigers plan to push his next start back by a day, and that could become a trend in September if they gain a greater edge on the Indians and White Sox.
Aug 22 2011Verlander earned the victory Monday as the Tigers defeated the Rays, 5-2. He pitched seven innings and allowed one run, three hits and three walks to go along with eight strikeouts. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has already tied his career high with 19 wins this season and has a 2.28 ERA and 0.88 WHIP, both of which would also be career-bests. Look for him to continue to be an elite fantasy starter down the stretch.
Aug 17 2011Verlander held the Twins to one run on seven hits in 7.2 innings Tuesday to pick up his 18th win of the year. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The eight strikeouts gave Verlander 204 on the season, which makes 2011 his third year with at least 200. The biggest improvement in his game this year has been his lowered walk rate. His 1.87 BB/9IP is by far the lowest of his career.
Aug 11 2011Verlander notched his major-league best 17th win of the season Thursday, tossing seven strong innings with 10 strikeouts. He allowed three runs and three hits while issuing three walks. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was a little shaky early, but retired 13 of the final 15 hitters he faced. The hard-throwing righty leads all of baseball with 196 strikeouts, and has to be considered the front runner for the AL Cy Young Award.
Aug 6 2011Verlander allowed three runs over seven innings and was the winning pitcher Saturday against the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He gave up five hits while walking two and striking out eight. It wasn't his best start but it was still strong enough to earn him win number 16 on the season (tied with CC Sabathia for the most wins). His ERA on the season now stands at 2.30 to go along with a phenomenal 0.87 WHIP.
Aug 1 2011Verlander picked up his 15th win of the season Sunday, allowing two unearned runs in eight innings while striking out nine and walking two against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander once again carried a no-hitter into the late innings, not allowing a hit to the Angels until the eighth inning. The Tigers ace is now 15-5 with a 2.24 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and major-league best 178 strikeouts.
Jul 26 2011Verlander allowed four runs on seven hits in eight innings against the White Sox on Tuesday, but he still escaped with his 14th win of the year. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: All four of the White Sox's runs came on a pair of two-run home runs. Verlander leads the league with 173 innings pitched, which makes his low ERA and WHIP and high K/9 all the more valuable.
Jul 21 2011Verlander earned the win Thursday with eight strong innings at Minnesota. He gave up just one run and five hits with nine strikeouts. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After posting perhaps his worst start in nearly two months (five runs in six innings Friday), Verlander rebounded Thursday to grab his 13th win of the season. His 162 strikeouts lead the American league, and trail just Clayton Kershaw (167 Ks) for tops in the majors.
Jul 16 2011Verlander allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits in six innings against the White Sox Friday night. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's peripherals weren't bad, as he struck out six, only walked two, and didn't allow a homer. He was done in by a 5-for-13 performance with runners in scoring position by White Sox hitters, and you can bet that won't be happening too often over the rest of the year.
Jul 14 2011Verlander will take the hill Friday against the White Sox for the Tigers' first game after the All-Star break, Mlive.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was one of the most dominant pitchers in the league before the break and looks primed to continue his solid run. Start him with the utmost confidence.
Jul 11 2011Verlander gave up just one unearned run Sunday against the Royals. In 7.2 innings, he struck out nine without a walk. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander won his 12th game, tying him for the league lead. His game has taken a step forward this season, and his peripheral numbers support an ERA in the 2.00's.
Jul 6 2011Verlander allowed just one run over 7.2 innings Tuesday night against the Angels, striking out eight while allowing two walks and seven hits. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Alas, that was enough to get the loss, as Dan Haren allowed only two baserunners in a complete game shutout against the Tigers. Verlander was ejected as he left the game, one of four ejections in the game.
Jul 1 2011Verlander held the Mets to a run over seven innings Thursday to pick up his 11th win of the year. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander halted the rampaging Mets offense, which had scored 30 runs in the previous two games against the Tigers. He was working about 2-3 mph slower than usual in this game, around 94-95 mph.
Jun 29 2011Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Verlander won't start or pitch in the All-Star Game, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is scheduled to start just two days before the game, so the big righty will be unavailable for the midsummer classic. The Tigers' ace leads the AL in wins (10), strikeouts (124), WHIP (0.84) and innings pitched (128.2).
Jun 26 2011Verlander threw eight scoreless innings against the Diamondbacks on Saturday to pick up his MLB-leading 10th win of the year. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He could not continue his streak of two complete games because of his pitch count of 119 (84 strikes), but this start was just as impressive as those. The 14 strikeouts were a career-best for a man who has a lifetime 8.2 K/9. He continues to prove himself as one of the AL's top starters.
Jun 20 2011Verlander pitched his second consecutive complete game Sunday, allowing only one run to the Rockies in Colorado. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander continues to be one of the more dominant pitchers in today's game, sporting a 34:3 K:BB ratio over his last four starts (34 innings). He's now second to James Shields with four complete games although he's gone at least eight innings in nine of his 16 starts. His ERA has dropped as each month has gone on, going from 3.50 to 2.62 to 1.08 in June.
Jun 15 2011Verlander was utterly dominant in Tuesday's shutout of the Indians, allowing just two hits and striking out 12. He also hit a batter and walked one. Orlando Cabrera broke up the no-hit bid with a clean single in the eighth inning, and Carlos Santana had a bloop single in the ninth. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It's a new season strikeout high for Verlander, who had his best stuff of the year - even better than the stuff he had in his no-hitter at Toronto. Don't be concerned by the 117 pitches, that's an average start for Verlander: he's been between 104 and 132 in every 2011 turn. He gets an interesting challenge on the weekend, working Sunday at Coors Field.
Jun 5 2011Verlander allowed two runs over eight innings and was the winning pitcher Saturday against the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He allowed seven hits while walking one and striking out seven. The only mistake Verlander made was a two-run home run by Gordon Beckham in the bottom of the fifth inning. The win brings his record to 6-3 on the season to go along with an ERA of 3.04, 83 strikeouts and 24 walks.
May 29 2011Verlander pitched 7.2 strong shutout innings as Detroit beat Boston 3-0 to split the day-night doubleheader on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander (5-3) allowed four hits and two walks while striking out three on 132 pitches Sunday. The 132 pitches were a career high and were the most since Detroit's Felipe Lira threw 135 on Aug. 11, 1996, the Associated Press reports.
May 25 2011Verlander allowed six runs on nine hits over six innings against the Rays on Tuesday, and he did not factor into the decision. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He did not walk a batter over his 101 pitches, but he only struck out a season-low two. This was easily his worst start of the year, and he will face the Red Sox in his next go.
May 20 2011Verlander had another solid outing Thursday, but recorded a no-decision at Boston, allowing three runs and six hits with nine strikeouts over eight innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander had great control Thursday with 82 of his 114 pitches going for strikes, and sports a season ERA and WHIP of 2.96 and 0.92, respectively.
May 13 2011Coming off a no-hitter in his last start, Verlander flirted with another Friday before Melky Cabrera's sixth-inning triple broke it up. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander ended up allowing two hits and three walks, striking out seven over eight innings as he ran his record to 4-3 this year. He now sports a sterling 2.91 ERA and remains one of the top pitchers in the game.
May 8 2011Verlander threw the second no-hitter of his career Saturday at Toronto. He only allowed one baserunner, a walk to J.P. Arencibia in the eighth inning. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It was mostly a pitch-to-contact no-hitter, as Verlander struck out just four and needed only 108 pitches; 12 of his outs came on ground balls. His next start comes at home against the Royals on Friday.
May 2 2011Verlander did not record a decision Monday as the Tigers lost to the Yankees, 5-3. He pitched six innings and allowed three runs, eight hits and four walks to go along with eight strikeouts. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander had to throw 128 pitches Monday and didn92t look to be on his game, but he still managed to come away with a quality start. Continue to start Verlander with confidence.
Apr 27 2011Verlander struck out eight and allowed four runs (three earned) over six innings but took the loss against the Mariners on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He was simply out-pitched by Erik Bedard on Wednesday, something that doesn't often happen to the Detroit ace. At least he gave you his typical gaudy strikeout total, and the losing record (2-3) shouldn't last too long.
Apr 22 2011Verlander held the White Sox to three runs on four hits on Friday to pick up his second win of the year. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: All three of the White Sox's runs came via solo shots, and he did not allow multiple baserunners in an inning until Carlos Quentin and Paul Konerko went back-to-back in the seventh. Verlander struck out eight in the game, the last of which was No. 1,000 for his career.
Apr 16 2011Verlander allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits over six innings against the A's on Saturday to take his second loss of the season. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He struck out six over his 117 pitches, and his 27 K's rank second in the American League. His 30 innings through four starts are tops in the league, and he should be among the pitchers with the highest totals in each of those categories at years' end.
Apr 11 2011Verlander tossed a complete game Monday, but took the loss against Texas after giving up two runs on six hits while striking out four and walking one. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Alexi Ogando tossed seven scoreless innings before Darren Oliver and Neftali Feliz completed the shutout for the Rangers. Verlander threw 119 pitches in the outing -- a heavy workload for early April -- but he's pitched well in three starts with a 21:7 K:BB and 13 hits allowed in 21 innings.
Apr 6 2011Verlander allowed just four hits -- but three runs -- over eight innings Wednesday against Baltimore to pick up his first win of the year. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He struck out nine and walked just two. Verlander has looked strong to start the season, a very positive sign considering his history of April struggles.
Mar 31 2011Verlander allowed three runs on three hits and four walks in six innings of work Thursday against the Yankees. He struck out eight. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander needed 31 pitches to get through the first inning and issued a few ill-timed walks, but overall it was a strong performance considering the cold and blustery conditions in New York. He's remains poised for another outstanding season.
Mar 21 2011Verlander hurled six shutout innings Sunday against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Tigers' ace struck out seven and walked one in his longest outing of the spring. With a 0.86 ERA and 20:3 K:BB ratio, Verlander looks primed for the start of the regular season.
Mar 16 2011Verlander continued his dominant spring Tuesday, allowing one earned run while striking out five in 5.1 innings against the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA and 12:0 K:BB ratio in 13 innings this spring. He's coming off back-to-back stellar campaigns and should be viewed as a potential ace for your fantasy staff.
Mar 11 2011Verlander threw four innings of one-run ball Thursday against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thursday's outing put Verlander's spring ERA at 0.93. April has been Verlander's toughest month throughout his career, so it's a good sign he's already sharp in spring training.
Feb 22 2011Verlander will start Opening Day for the Tigers, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: No surprise here, as Verlander will be starting his fourth straight season opener. The Tigers' ace is primed for another big year.
Sep 29 2010Verlander allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts and took the loss Tuesday against the Indians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander finished the season with a flurry of strikeouts, reaching double digits in three of his last four starts.
Sep 24 2010Verlander struck out 11 and did not walk a batter while holding the Twins to an unearned run on four hits during a complete game Friday night. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He earned his 18th win of the season in the process, while Verlander improved his record to 5-0 over his last seven starts. Verlander has attributed his recent success to a mechanical adjustment made to his curveball, and the results have been excellent as he's carried a 57:7 K:BB through 55 innings during that span.
Sep 18 2010Verlander allowed three runs on six hits in a complete-game victory over the White Sox on Saturday. He struck out eight and walked one. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: All three runs came across in the fifth inning, but aside from that one shaky frame, Verlander was nearly flawless. The win was his 17th of the year, putting him in a tie for second in the American League.
Sep 13 2010Verlander improved to 16-8 on Sunday, limiting the Orioles to two runs over eight innings while tying a season high with 11 strikeouts. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has been knocked for his drop in K's this season, but he's still among the league leaders with 8.6 whiffs per nine. The hard-throwing righty is well on his way to eclipsing 200 strikeouts for the second time in his career and second consecutive season.
Sep 7 2010Verlander held the White Sox to one run on five hits over seven innings Tuesday to earn his 15th win of the season. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He struck out seven and only walked one after walking five Indians in his previous start. He could have a two-win week in store with the Orioles on tap for the weekend.
Sep 3 2010Verlander gave up six runs on 10 hits over six innings in a no-decision against the Twins on Thursday night. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Only three of the runs were earned, but it wasn't a particularly good night for his WHIP or ERA. Verlander should get two starts for owners in weekly leagues with the White Sox (Tuesday) and Orioles (Sunday, Sept. 12) on the slate for his next two turns in the rotation.
Aug 28 2010Verlander struck out eight and walked two while holding the Blue Jays to two run on five hits over eight innings on Friday night. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He did not factor in the decision as the game ultimately went to extra innings before the Blue Jays managed to get the game-winning run against lefty Phil Coke. Even with the Tigers now left to play spoiler for the rest of the regular season, Verlander remains one of the elite starters in the American League.
Aug 23 2010Verlander gave up just one run over eight innings on Sunday, striking out eight and walking one. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has been remarkably consistent over the past two months, yielding between one and three runs in nine of his last 10 starts.
Aug 17 2010Verlander was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs in five innings Tuesday against the Yankees. He walked five and struck out five. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's pitch count climbed to 114 by the end of the fifth, resulting in his shortest outing since a two-inning affair against the Mets on June 22. It certainly wasn't vintage Verlander, but he continues to rack up strikeouts and now ranks sixth in the AL in that category.
Aug 12 2010Verlander struck out seven and walked three while holding the Rays to one run on six hits over six innings on Wednesday afternoon. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He kept one of the best lineups in the American League very quiet on Wednesday en route to his 13th win of the season. Even though the Tigers have fallen away from the playoff picture in the AL Central, they'll continue to play spoiler and give Verlander a shot at picking up a win every fifth day.
Aug 6 2010Verlander struck out two and walked two while giving up four runs on seven hits over seven innings on Friday night. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Friday's start was Verlander's first since the All-Star break that wasn't a quality one. Still, he managed to pitch deep into the game and limit the strain on an overtaxed bullpen that was worked hard in a series against the White Sox earlier this week.
Jul 27 2010Verlander hurled a complete game loss against the Rays Tuesday. He yielded three runs on five hits in his eight innings of work. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This was his second complete game of the year and his second straight eight-inning start.
Jul 22 2010Verlander picked up win number 12 on Thursday against the Blue Jays, striking out give over eight innings and giving up just two runs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander threw a bunch of pitches in the game (120), like usual. But that's nothing new, as he led the league in pitches last season by over 300. What matters is he threw them for strikes and walked just two in Thursday's outing.
Jul 17 2010Verlander struck out nine, but walked five and gave up three runs on six hits over six innings against the Indians on Saturday afternoon. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He did not factor in the decision, as the Indians ultimately picked up the game-winning run against lefty Phil Coke in the seventh inning. In three starts against Cleveland this season, Verlander has issued 12 free passes (17 innings) while striking out 21. Unless he starts on short rest with the doubleheader on Saturday, Verlander should take the ball next against the Blue Jays at Comerica Park on Thursday afternoon.
Jul 12 2010Verlander was added to the American League's All-Star roster on Sunday, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was added to the team as a replacement for CC Sabathia. Sabathia will still attend the festivities, but he is unable to pitch in the All-Star Game as a result of a new rule that excludes any pitchers who started a game on Sunday from being used in the All-Star Game. It's not the most glorious way to earn a spot on the All-Star team, but it's still an honor. Verlander became a three-time All-Star with his addition to this year's team.
Jul 9 2010Verlander picked up his 11th win of the season Friday against Minnesota, allowing two runs in 5.1 innings. He struck out seven and walked two. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander breezed through the first five innings, but after allowing the first five batters he faced in the sixth inning to reach base and with a pitch count creeping above 100, he was pulled after 5.1 innings. He wasn't at his best, but his owners will be content with an ERA-lowering win and seven strikeouts.
Jul 3 2010Verlander held the Mariners to one run on seven hits in seven innings Saturday to pick up his 10th win of the year. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Tigers staked Verlander to a six-run lead by the fifth inning, so winning wasn't much of a struggle. Verlander struck out 10 in this one to match his 10 wins, and he only walked one. The 114 pitches in this one marked his 12th journey over the 110-pitch mark this season.
Jun 28 2010Verlander picked up a victory on Sunday by lasting seven innings and giving up four runs to the Braves. He struck out six and walked two. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Though Verlander's ERA slipped over four by the end of Sunday's start, his numbers across the board are still strong. His K/9 rate is over eight, he has nine wins, and his walk rate is in line with his career average.
Jun 22 2010Verlander allowed five runs on five hits and three walks in two innings against the Mets Tuesday. The loss was his fifth of the year. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He started off a little rocky, but things got exacerbated after a lengthy rain delay. Verlander stranded two runners before the rain drops started dropping, and then the Tigers' bullpen (namely Jay Sborz) did a poor job of keeping those runners from scoring. This start follows an 11-K, no-walk performance against the Nats, and Tuesday may be remembered as Verlander's most forgettable of the year.
Jun 16 2010Verlander returned to dominance Wednesday with his first double-digit strikeout effort of the year, fanning 11 Nationals hitters over eight innings of three-run ball. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander put up a gaudy strikeout total last year, but has fallen drastically from that pace so far this season. He's still been effective, but by this time last year he'd already struck out eight or more batters nine times, as opposed to just four times this year.
Jun 11 2010Verlander gave up two runs on four hits over seven innings on Friday night en route to his seventh win of the season. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He struck out three and walked four, but the Tigers' offense gave him plenty of help against Ross Ohlendorf on Friday night. Verlander hasn't been dominant in his last two starts (8:6 K:BB in 14 innings), but he's benefited from facing the Pirates and Royals in those outings, so the damage has been minimal.
May 31 2010Verlander allowed three runs in seven innings Monday against the A's. He struck out eight and walked one. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After a long rain delay before the game, Verlander came out of the gates shaky before eventually settling down. It was basically a microcosm of his season: a rough start, followed by the Verlander we've come to know (2.34 ERA, 48:15 K:BB over his last seven starts).
May 25 2010Verlander allowed five runs on seven hits in a 7.1-inning loss to the Mariners Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He allowed home runs to Franklin Gutierrez and Milton Bradley, which accounted for three of the M's runs. He was able to strike out eight in this one (to two walks), but it was a subpar encore to last start's complete game.
May 19 2010Verlander threw his first complete game of the season on Wednesday night against the A's. He threw 116 pitches and gave up only one earned run off of four hits while striking out five. Verlander was cruising until the eighth inning before he gave up back-to-back singles to Jack Cust and Kevin Kouzmanoff to start the inning. Cust ended up scoring on a sacrifice fly by Adam Rosales, which ended the shutout bid for Verlander. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was originally scheduled to pitch twice this week. He was expected to start Tuesday against the White Sox, but because of the rain-out on Monday he instead pitched on Wednesday against the A's. This ended up being a blessing in disguise as he ended up facing a weaker A's offense.
May 13 2010Verlander threw 6.2 scoreless innings to defeat the Yankees on Thursday. He allowed four hits and four walks while striking out four. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander outdueled CC Sabathia in Thursday's matinee game. The only negative was that he needed 119 pitches to go as deep into the game as he did. The high pitch counts are a recurring theme with Verlander.
May 8 2010Verlander struck out nine and walked four against the Indians on Saturday, giving up three runs on four hits over six innings, but earning his third win of the season. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He needed 119 pitches to get through the outing, but Verlander benefited from some extra run support against Kerry Wood in the seventh inning on Saturday. While his ERA still sits at 4.50 for the season, he's now reeled off a three-start stretch with a 23:7 K:BB ratio in 20 innings. Any concerns you might have had about him after he scuffled his first two times out should be erased at this point.
May 2 2010Verlander threw 8.1 innings of 3-hit ball on Sunday against the Angels, giving up just one earned run while striking out seven. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander also had great control and didn't issue a walk. He threw 120 pitches, just three days after it was announced he would be on a strict pitch count. Either they allowed him to go over his mark due to the success he was enjoying, or his pitch limit is so high it will have little effect on his usage.
Apr 29 2010Tigers manager Jim Leyland will hold Verlander to a strict pitch count this season, the Detroit News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With $80 million invested in Verlander's right arm, the team wants to make sure he isn't overworked. Considering Verlander led MLB in pitches thrown last year and has averaged 108 pitches per game this season, owners don't have to worry much about the pitch count being too low for the big righty to pitch late into games.
Apr 27 2010Verlander allowed one unearned run on four hits in 5.2 innings against the Twins Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He struck out seven and walked three, but the Twins' Francisco Liriano handcuffed the Tigers' offense something terrible. Pitch counts may start to become an issue for Verlander, as the 122 pitches he threw Tuesday marked his second consecutive start with 120+. Not only has he thrown a lot of pitches in these starts, but he hasn't been efficient (he lasted a combined 10.2 innings).
Apr 23 2010Verlander pitched five mediocre innings Thursday but earned his first win of the season. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander allowed four runs, gave up six hits, walked four, and struck out four. His struggles continued Thursday, but the Tigers have only lost one of his four starts this season. The hitters are backing up Verlander this year, but his stuff just isn't dominant right now. We're buying low on Verlander since slow starts are nothing new for the flamethrower.
Apr 11 2010Verlander surrendered six earned runs over five innings on Sunday against the Indians. He gave up five hits and three walks, while striking out three. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Four of the six earned runs came on a grand slam off the bat of Cleveland's Luis Valbuena in the first. Verlander didn't pitch terrible after settling in, but he hasn't put together a full, strong outing yet this season.
Apr 5 2010Verlander picked up a no decision on Opening Day, allowing four earned runs while striking out six in five innings against the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He didn't have his best stuff on Monday, but he managed to keep the game close enough for the Tigers to comeback after the Royals went to their bullpen. No need for Verlander owners to panic -- he'll show improvement as the season wears on.
Mar 31 2010Verlander struggled through 5.1 innings, giving up 10 hits and three earned runs Wednesday against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's spring might cause just a little worry. He finished the Grapefruit League with a 5.48 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.
Mar 11 2010Verlander threw four innings against the Phillies on Thursday, striking out two and walking none, but yielding six hits and two earned runs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It was his second start of the spring, and both were merely average. After seven innings, he holds a 3:2 K:BB ratio and a sum of three earned runs surrendered. Verlander should be fine as he finds his groove this spring, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland said as much, but he also wants to see his staff attack the zone more. "If you're going to pitch 2-0 [counts], you're going to get your butt kicked," Leyland said to MLB.com. He added, "If Verlander pitches 2-0 once in a while with a 98, he might get by with it," but the message to be more aggressive was addressed to all his hurlers.
Feb 3 2010The Tigers and Verlander have agreed to a $80-million, five-year contract, the Associated Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: So much for the Tigers cutting salary this offseason. Verlander cashes in after posting career-best marks in wins (19), ERA (3.45), WHIP (1.18) and strikeouts (269) during the 2009 season. At 27, he's one of the better pitchers in the league and has an opportunity to be an ace for the Tigers' and fantasy squads for years to come.
Jan 30 2010The Tigers are discussing a five-year, $75 million deal with Verlander, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Detroit and Verlander are set to go to arbitration in February if the two sides can't come to a contract agreement soon. The Tigers hope to lock up Verlander long term, and a contract of this size should do the trick since Seattle's Felix Hernandez inked a five-year, $78 million deal just a couple of weeks ago.
Jan 22 2010The Tigers and Verlander haven't begun discussing a long-term contract yet, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Tigers have made it known that they would like Verlander to be with the organization for a long time, but a long-term deal still hasn't been offered. Verlander would prefer to settle his contract for the upcoming season before moving on the long-term discussions. One of Verlander's closest comparisons is Seattle's Felix Hernandez, who received a five-year, $78-million deal recently, so look for Verlander to try and land a similar contract.
Jan 19 2010Verlander is asking for $9.5 million in arbitration, while the Tigers are countering with $6.9 million, Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is looking to nearly triple his salary from last year ($3.675 million). If the two sides don't settle, the case will go to an arbitration hearing next month.
Oct 15 2009Verlander threw over 120 pitches in 11 starts this season, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He finished the season with 3,940 pitches thrown -- 294 more than any other pitcher in the majors. It'll be interesting to see how he responds next year to the heavy workload, but Verlander often finished games on a strong note without losing any velocity.
Oct 1 2009Verlander, who's scheduled to start on Sunday, could be skipped in the rotation if the Tigers clinch a playoff spot before the season finale, Mlive.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Daily leagues take notice. No announcement was made as to who would take Verlander's place in the rotation if the Tigers' ace is rested for the playoffs, but start planning now if you need a streamer option for the final day of the season.
Sep 30 2009Verlander held the Twins to four runs in eight innings with eight strikeouts in Tuesday's nightcap win over the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is looking better following a rough stretch earlier in the month. It looks like he could start Sunday if making the playoffs is still a question mark. Otherwise he should be the No. 1 starter for the playoffs.
Sep 25 2009Verlander allowed two runs and struck out 11 over seven innings Thursday against the Indians to pick up his 17th win. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander had been rough in his last two starts, so it's good to see him recover with a fine outing, if not against a world-beating offense.
Sep 20 2009Verlander allowed five runs in 7.1 innings Saturday against the Twins, dropping to 16-9 this season. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was outstanding through seven innings, but allowed a two-run single to Jason Kubel with the bases loaded in the eighth. With two runners on, Verlander departed, only to have Brandon Lyon surrendered a three-run homer to break things open for the Twins. In a game the Tigers desperately wanted, Verlander was allowed to throw a season-high 128 pitches.
Sep 10 2009Verlander held the Royals to one run on six hits in six innings Wednesday, but he got the loss. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He was out-pitched by Robinson Tejeda, who held the Tigers scoreless. He struck out eight for the fourth time in eight starts.
Sep 6 2009Verlander improved to 16-7 with Friday's 4-3 victory over the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He allowed one run on four hits while striking out seven over eight innings. The Tigers backed Verlander with a three-run ninth inning and Fernando Rodney was able to close the door after a rocky bottom half of the frame. Verlander is making his case for the AL Cy Young award, ranking first in the league in wins (16) and strikeouts (222) while posting a 3.29 ERA.
Aug 31 2009Verlander picked up his 15th win of the season on Sunday with four strikeouts over eight innings against the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander gave up three runs on six hits (including two homers) and walked three, but it was good enough for the Tigers to pull away with a win after Placido Polanco hit a three-run homer off Grant Balfour in the eighth inning. Despite a 4.12 ERA in August, Verlander is chugging along through the second half with overall numbers that are just as impressive as his first-half marks.
Aug 20 2009Verlander took the loss against the Mariners despite holding them to three runs on six hits in eight innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He walked one and struck out 10, earning him his first career 200-K season. The Tigers could not do much against the M's pitching staff, so it would have been really hard for Verlander to win this one. This was his sixth double-digit strikeout total of the season, but his first of August.
Aug 4 2009Verlander allowed five runs and nine hits over eight innings, recording a no-decision in Monday92s 6-5 win against Baltimore. He issued one walk and struck out eight. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander got off to a shaky start, surrendering five runs in the first inning, but rebounded to retire 16 of the final 17 batters he faced and avoid the loss.
Jul 30 2009Verlander picked up his 12th win of the year after holding the Rangers to four runs (three earned) on six hits in seven innings Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He struck out 13 (which tied a career-high) and walked none in another commanding performance. This was his second double-digit K total in five July starts, both of which were accompanied by zero walks.
Jul 25 2009Verlander gave up one unearned run in a complete game win over the White Sox on Friday afternoon. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He struck out four and walked four, but Verlander was able to get out of trouble each time he worked his way into it. Verlander continues to pitch very well at Comerica Park where he's posted a 1.15 ERA in nine starts this season.
Jul 19 2009Verlander struck out six and walked one while holding the Yankees to two runs on seven hits on Saturday afternoon. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Unfortunately for Verlander, CC Sabathia was good for seven shutout innings on the other side, handing the Tigers' ace his fifth loss of the season. Verlander has struggled on the road at times this season, but he's been far too good overall to consider sitting him down even in tough matchups the rest of the way.
Jul 13 2009Verlander tossed seven shutout innings Sunday against the Indians, allowing just five hits. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander picked up his tenth win before the All-Star break in dominating fashion. His eight strikeouts moved his season total to 149, the most by a Tigers pitcher at the break since 1972, the Associated Press reports.
Jul 8 2009Verlander improved to 9-4 with an 8-5 win vs. the Royals on Tuesday night. He mowed down 11 Royals and gave up just seven hits and no walks in six innings. Two Detroit errors led to two unearned runs to taint the outing a bit. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After a few routine starts, Verlander turned in a dominating outing. Granted, it was against the Royals, but definitely a boost for Verlander owners.
Jul 3 2009Verlander picked up his fourth loss of the season Wednesday, falling 5-1 to the Athletics. He gave up four runs -- all earned -- in six innings while striking out six and walking one. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After a 10-game unbeaten stretch, Verlander has lost two of his last four starts. He pitched well on Wednesday, but was doomed by two long balls which accounted for all four of his earned runs. His next start will come at home, where he's 4-0 with a 1.11 ERA, so look for a bounce-back outing.
Jun 28 2009Verlander picked a no-decision in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Astros, allowing three earned runs in 5.1 innings while striking out six and walking four. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander continued a trend of pitching worse on the road than at the confines of Comerica Park. He's 4-0 with a 1.11 ERA at home but just 4-3 with a 4.88 ERA on the road. Despite the struggles away from home, the 26-year-old fireballer is still striking out over a hitter per inning on the road, so keep on running him out there for all of his starts.
Jun 22 2009Verlander allowed two runs on five hits in 7.2 innings Sunday against the Brewers. He has now won eight of his last nine decisions. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander recovered nicely from his poor performance in his last outing. He struck out eight (boosting his AL-leading total to 118), while walking three. Manager Jim Leyland has decided to shake up the Verlander-Edwin Jackson combo at the top of his rotation, and will instead have rookie Alfredo Figaro pitch between the two, the Tigers' official site reports. Verlander's next start will come Friday at Houston.
Jun 18 2009Verlander struggled in a loss to the Cardinals Tuesday, allowing five runs on eight hits in four innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The loss marks Verlander's first since April 17 and the four strikeouts tied a season low. He was 7-0 in his previous nine starts, so chalk this one up as a bad outing and look for him to perform better next time out.
Jun 11 2009Verlander threw a one-run, six-hit complete game against the White Sox Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He struck out nine in the game, two of which came on the game's final two batters. We do not know if Verlander would have taken the mound had Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya been available, but he did and he did well. The White Sox' only run came on a Jim Thome solo shot in the seventh, and they only advanced two runners to third base.
Jun 5 2009Verlander tossed eight shutout innings against the Angels on Friday, but the Tigers lost 2-1. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander and Ervin Santana put on a pitching clinic, but it was Santana who picked up the win thanks to two ninth-inning runs off Fernando Rodney. Over his last eight starts, Verlander is now 6-0 with a 1.12 ERA and 72 strikeouts.
May 30 2009Verlander allowed three runs on nine hits in six innings Saturday against the Orioles to get the win. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He struck out five and walked one. He finished May with a perfect 5-0 record with 56 strikeouts (11 walks) and seven runs allowed. This was by far his worst performance of the month, which says a lot about how good the month was.
May 25 2009Verlander tossed seven scoreless innings Monday against the Royals and improved his record to 5-2. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He didn't walk a batter and struck out eight, boosting his total to a major league-high 85 for the season. Verlander's rough start to 2009 is nothing but a distant memory.
May 20 2009Verlander struck out eight over six innings en route to his fourth win of the season. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He narrowly missed a fourth straight game of double-digit strikeouts. He was still dominant, holding the Rangers to one run on three hits and two walks.
May 14 2009Verlander picked up a no-decision on Thursday, pitching 6.1 innings of two-run ball while striking out a career-high 13 in a 6-5 loss to the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander left the game in the seventh inning with two men on base. Bobby Seay proceeded to allow both runners to score and was responsible for the other four runs Minnesota scored in the inning. The real story here is Verlander's continued brilliance after a tough start to the season. The Tigers' ace is 3-0 with three runs allowed and 44 strikeouts in his past four starts.
May 8 2009Verlander tossed a complete game two-hitter Friday against the Indians, striking out 11 and walking two. He did not allow a run. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After a terrible start, Verlander has been untouchable over his last three outings: 23 innings, one earned run, and a mind-popping 31 strikeouts. He is scheduled to get the Twins next.
May 4 2009Verlander picked up his second win of the season on Sunday, limiting the Indians to one run over seven innings while striking out a season-high 11 batters. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: That's back-to-back impressive outings from the Tigers' ace after a rough start to the season. He's striking out batters at a career-best pace (11.6 K/9) and his ERA (5.66) start to drop. The window for buying low has probably already passed, but try to pry him away from an unsuspecting owner.
Apr 27 2009Verlander shut down the Yankees on Monday, tossing seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts, to pick up his first win of the season. He scattered seven hits and did not walk a batter. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander entered the game with an ERA of 9.00, but had struck out 25 in 21 innings. The hard-throwing right-hander now has a sparkling 34:9 K:BB ratio.
Apr 22 2009Verlander lasted just five innings Wednesday, surrendering seven runs on nine hits and two walks. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He was spared the loss thanks to the Angels' pitching staff hurling just as poorly. Unlike previous starts, Verlander was hit early, often and hard, throwing only one 1-2-3 inning. On a positive note, he has 25 strikeouts to nine walks in 25 innings, so there's some hope for a turnaround.
Apr 17 2009Verlander pitched four strong innings Friday night before surrendering five runs in a disastrous fifth inning. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has the talent to be a top-ten fantasy pitcher, but the struggles he experienced with consistency last season seem to be following him this year.
Apr 12 2009Verlander bounced back from a disastrous Opening Day start on Saturday, giving up three runs -- one earned -- and striking out eight while picking up a no-decision against the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was roughed up for eight runs on Opening Day, so it's nice to see him settle down. Still, his high pitch count (97) and the issuing of four walks should raise some alarm as those were two of Verlander's biggest problems last season. He hasn't proven to be the fantasy ace we envisioned after his first two full seasons, but he's still a solid part of a rotation, no matter the format.
Apr 7 2009Tigers manager Jim Leyland wants Verlander to throw his fastball with a little bit less velocity and instead with more movement, the team's official site reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "He's probably better off if he pitches at 92-93 [mph], maybe 94, than trying to pitch at 96," Leyland said, "because it's max effort, and I think his ball moves good. In those [Spring Training] games at Atlanta, he wasn't throwing that hard until he needed it. ... With the way he pitches, the assortment he's got, he doesn't have to pitch [at] max effort, in my opinion." Verlander struggled during his Opening Day start on Monday, but his command was OK and the adjustments he made this spring should pay off if he's able to find the right balance of fastballs and off-speed pitches on the mound this season.
Apr 6 2009Verlander lasted just 3 2/3 innings in Monday92s game at Toronto, giving up eight hits and eight runs to take the loss. He also issued a pair of walks and struck out four. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Unlike last season and this spring, Verlander had decent control on Monday. The problem for Verlander was a four-run first inning (all of the damage came with two outs) as well as allowing a total of six extra-base hits. Reliever Eddie Bonine did not help the cause either, serving up a three-run homer to Adam Lind with two of the runs charged to Verlander. With a strong K/9 ratio, Verlander still has plenty of value and could easily be a bounce-back candidate, but getting rocked by an average Blue Jays92 lineup is an obvious concern.
Mar 27 2009Verlander will get the nod for the Tigers on Opening Day, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander getting the Opening Day start was a foregone conclusion before camp even opened. He's a solid bounce-back candidate this season, but unlike the Tigers relying on him as an ace, you should view him more as a No. 3 starter in standard mixed leagues.
Mar 12 2009Verlander gave up two runs and walked four in two innings against the Yankees on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Control continues to be a problem for Verlander, who is tweaking his delivery this spring to try to solve the issue. Verlander isn't worried about his struggles on Wednesday and believes his delivery adjustments will be settled well before Opening Day.
Feb 26 2009Verlander pitched two shutout innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League opening win over the Braves. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He allowed one hit and walked two in his first outing of the spring. It's still early, but Verlander will have to hone in his control if he hopes to bounce back this season. He walked a career-high 87 batters last season and hit another 14.
Feb 22 2009Verlander will start the Tigers' Grape Fruit League opener, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager Jim Leyland still hasn't named his Opening Day starter yet, but Verlander should be considered the front-runner. If Verlander is selected to represent Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, it could alter schedule enough to make him unavailable for Opening Day. Still, Verlander should be thought of as the Tigers' ace even if he doesn't get the ball on Opening Day.
Feb 3 2009Verlander and the Tigers agreed to a one-year, $3.675 contract on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, the Associated Press reports.. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: A nice little raise for Verlander, who made 'just' $500,000 last season. Verlander will likely be undervalued in drafts this season after a disappointing 2008 campaign in which he posted a 4.84 ERA and a 11-17 record. He's undergone a change in his delivery that the team hopes will help him return to his 2007 success
Jan 21 2009Tigers pitching coach Rick Knapp made a small adjustment to Verlander's delivery last week that he believes will help him finish his follow through better, the Detroit News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "Watching him play catch, I noticed how after he finishes, he finishes way off-balance," Knapp said. "My job was to figure out why that was and how it relates to his delivery, which was to possibly lower his arm slot a bit. He was maybe getting a bit too high. That can lead him to arch, and to fall off as opposed to stepping around after the ball crosses the plate. So, doing long-toss, we had him keeping his hands away from his head a bit more, which seems to free up his arm and his release a bit more out front." The Tigers hope that Knapp can help Verlander recapture his form from 2007 as the 2008 season was a disappointment.
Sep 21 2008Verlander lasted just four innings Saturday, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks. He struck out four. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has given up at least four earned runs in each of his last five starts, totaling 22 earned runs in 25 innings.
Sep 6 2008Verlander surrendered four runs in 5.2 innings Saturday against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It wasn't good, but at least it was better than his last time out. Verlander needed 114 pitches (just 65 went for strikes) to get through 5.2 innings and walked four. It's hard to bench Verlander because the potential is always there for a great start, but he's been so erratic lately that he comes with a lot of risk as well.
Sep 1 2008Verlander was hammered for eight runs (five earned) over just 1.2 innings against the Yankees on Monday. He gave up seven hits and two walks. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It's been just that sort of season for Verlander. He's had two pretty awful starts in a row after two good ones, and his ERA now sits at 4.74, after he had worked briefly to get it down below 4.00 on July 20.
Aug 23 2008Verlander picked up his 10th win of the season by shutting out the Royals over 6.2 innings while striking out six on Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Last season, Verlander picked up his 10th win on July 5. He continued to play with fire on Friday, allowing eight hits and walking three. The main problem this season continues to be Verlander's 1.96:1 K:BB ratio. While not horrible, it pales in comparison to last year's 2.72:1 KK:BB ratio. If he cuts down on his walks, Verlander could still become the fantasy ace that was selected on draft day.
Aug 17 2008Verlander allowed two unearned runs and four hits in six innings Saturday, walking three and striking out six. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander earned his first win since July 20. Verlander needed an outing like this. He had a 9.97 ERA in his last four starts entering Saturday, failing to go six innings in three of those starts.
Aug 14 2008Manager Jim Leyland said he likely will keep Verlander on his regular schedule and start him at home Saturday against Baltimore, MLive.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Leyland considered giving Verlander an extra day of rest by adjusting the rotation after he struggled with a "dead arm" Monday, one start after throwing 130 pitches in Chicago.
Aug 12 2008Verlander was tagged for six runs on seven hits over 4.1 innings in Monday's loss to the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The loss dropped Verlander to 8-13 on the season and extended his losing streak to four consecutive starts. In addition to going 0-4 over those outings, Verlander has a 9.97 ERA across his last 21.2 innings. It's worth noting that two of those four starts came against the White Sox -- a club he's consistently struggled with during his young career, but his overall numbers continue to mark 2008 as a very disappointing campaign.
Aug 6 2008Verlander is now at 12 losses on the season after giving up five runs on six hits over 7.2 innings against the White Sox on Wednesday night. He struck out eight and walked three. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander made a mistake early by giving up a three-run bomb to the White Sox' Jim Thome. Other than that, it wasn't a bad outing until staying in a couple of batters too long in the 8th.
Jul 26 2008Verlander was tagged for seven runs on nine hits over four innings of work in the Tigers 7-6 loss to the White Sox on Saturday night. He struck out five and walked one. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He wasn't very good and had trouble keeping the ball in the yard, giving up homers to both Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye. Despite Saturday's outing, Verlander is still a good point scorer in all fantasy formats.
Jul 20 2008Verlander threw 8.2 innings of three-hit, one-run ball Sunday against the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He had a 3:3 K:BB ratio, but two of those walks came in the ninth inning, when fatigue may have overtaken his control. He has won his past four starts, and six of his past eight.
Jul 13 2008Verlander went seven innings against the Twins Sunday, allowing two runs on two hits (and two walks). He struck out eight en route to the win. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He is 5-0 over his past seven starts with 42 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched.
Jul 13 2008Verlander will pitch the fourth game out of the All-Star break on Sunday, July 20, the Detroit News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander could have pitched as early as Friday but the Tigers opted to give him extra rest. The team will go with a rotation of Kenny Rogers, Armando Galarraga, Nate Robertson, Verlander and likely Eddie Bonine.
Jul 8 2008Verlander allowed two runs in seven innings and struck out seven and got the win to pull to 6-9 on the season on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander allowed a double to Casey Blake and a home run to Jhonny Peralta in the first inning and didn't allow a hit the rest of the way. He is finally starting to come into his own after the very slow start, winning his last four decisions. His strikeout rate is up too. After striking out 44 in 75 innings in March, April and May, Verlander has struck out 44 in 46 innings in June and July.
Jul 6 2008Verlander will pitch in Tuesday's series opener against the Cleveland Indians, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: That will push No. 5 starter Eddie Bonine's next start to Wednesday and will allow Verlander to pitch twice before the All-Star break.
Jun 23 2008Verlander allowed two runs on five hits in 5.1 innings Sunday and picked up his fourth win of the season. He struck out 10 and walked five. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander picked up eight of his 10 strikeouts through the first three innings. "He had his excellent fastball," Tigers manager Jim Leyland told the MLive.com, "but his other two pitches (curve and change-up) were below average for him. But the nice thing is, he gets in a jam and he can strike people out."
Jun 11 2008Verlander (3-9) threw a complete-game four-hitter against the White Sox on Wednesday, allowing just one run. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander had a terrible start to the year, but he has been bouncing back of late. His record and season ERA may still make him come cheap enough to be bought low.
Jun 6 2008Verlander allowed three runs on five hits in seven innings Friday against the Indians and was tagged with the loss. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Despite dropping to 2-9 on the season, Verlander pitched fairly well, posting a season-high eight strikeouts. He struggled with walks again, issuing four, but seemed more willing to go after hitters after managing just one strikeout in his last start.
May 31 2008Verlander fell to 2-8 for the season while giving up four runs on eight hits over seven innings on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He only fanned one, while walking two against a lackluster Seattle club. Verlander appeared to turn a corner over his previous three starts while going 1-1 with a 13:8 K:BB ratio over 20 innings, but even with his improvements he hasn't been as dominant as he was at times last season. Verlander's strikeout rate is down and his walk rate is up, which has been simply disastrous for him more often than not thus far.
May 26 2008Verlander said he has been working to put more stress on his lower body than on his arm, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "I felt like my mechanics kind of came together for me," Verlander said after his outing on Sunday. "I've been working hard to get there. My velocity jumped back up and everything was pretty sharp." Verlander allowed one run on five hits in seven innings Sunday while walking four and striking out three.
May 20 2008Verlander had a strong start Tuesday, allowing one run in six innings and earning his second win of the season. He struck out seven. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lone run allowed by Verlander came on a solo homer by Adrian Beltre. Verlander allowed just four hits and walked one, but still ran his pitch count over 100 in just six innings.
May 15 2008Verlander held the Royals to two runs on six hits over six innings on Wednesday, but fell to 1-7 as the Detroit offense was shut out by Luke Hochevar and the Kansas City bullpen. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Considering that he entered the season as an American League Cy Young candidate, it's hard to look at Verlander's numbers thus far without doing a double take. Beyond the disappointment he's been for fantasy owners, Verlander turned in a quality start on Wednesday for just the second time in nine starts this season. He's still a good buy-low candidate as there's time to turn it around, but his 33:24 K:BB ratio through 55 innings is nothing short of puzzling.
May 9 2008Verlander said Thursday that he believes his early season struggles are due to mechanical problems, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "I know what I need to work on," Verlander said. "My front side is flying (open). When that happens, everything kind of flattens out on me. I've had a tendency to do that my whole career." Manager Jim Leyland has a slightly different take on the problem. "I think he's getting caught a little bit worrying too much about trying to become a pitcher, throwing 91 and 92 and saving (more velocity) if you get in a jam," Leyland said. "I think he needs to go back to what he did in his first year: 'I've got good stuff. I'll make my pitches. You hit it.'" Verlander is now 1-6 with a 6.43 ERA and 30:21 K:BB ratio in 49 innings. On the positive side, he does have a 10:3 K:BB ratio in his two May starts so perhaps things are slowly starting to turn around for him.
May 8 2008Verlander lost for the sixth time in seven decisions Thursday against Boston. He gave up five earned runs in six innings, upping his ERA to 6.43. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: On the positive side, Verlander walked just one batter for the first time since Opening Day.
May 4 2008Verlander, after retiring the first 10 batters he faced, gave up four earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five, picking up his 5th loss of the year against the Twins on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is having some serious issues with giving up the long ball and his control. In the 43 innings pitched this year, Verlander has given up 6 homers and has walked 20 while striking out a 25. Today wasn't too bad in terms of what Verlander has done this year and hopefully he'll return to form as the season progresses.
Apr 29 2008Verlander allowed six runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings Sunday to pick up his fourth loss of the season. He struck out three and walked four. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "I thought he threw the ball extremely well, and I thought he had all his pitches going pretty good," Manager Jim Leyland told the Detroit Free Press after the game. "The one inning where they scored the four" -- the sixth -- "his control got away from him a little bit." Verlander is 1-4 with a 6.50 ERA. He is a nice buy low candidate if you can convince another owner in your league to give him up.
Apr 22 2008Verlander found the win column for this first time this season, beating the Rangers Tuesday night. He allowed one run in six innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Perhaps it was the throwing adjustment he made over the weekend. Nonetheless, he has struck out just seven in his last three starts spanning 18.2 innings.
Apr 21 2008Verlander worked on raising his arm angle a bit during his bullpen session on Saturday, the Detroit Free Press reports. Verlander said that his arm angle has been a "hair low -- nothing major." ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "For the most part, it's my breaking ball that's been suffering," Verlander said, referring to his rough start to the season. "It's not flat, but a little too side-to-side." Verlander is 0-3 with a 14:12 K:BB ratio in 24.1 innings this season.
Apr 17 2008Verlander fell to 0-3 on Thursday, giving up five earned runs in five innings of an 11-1 loss to Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He struck out just one batter while allowing seven hits, three walks (one intentional) and two hits batsmen. With an earned run average of 7.03 in 24.1 innings, Verlander's start is pretty much mirroring that of the Tigers.
Apr 12 2008Verlander gave up six runs, four walks and struck out only three in a 7-0 loss to the White Sox Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was keeping up with the no-hit bid of Gavin Floyd, despite giving up a solo home run in the third inning, but ran out of gas in the eighth inning, giving up five runs. Manager Jim Leyland probably should have yanked Verlander after the first couple of runs, but this really took a cut at his fantasy stats, which were already pretty ugly to begin with. Verlander will get it together soon enough, so try to stick with him through these tough starts.
Apr 7 2008Verlander allowed a career-high nine runs (four earned) in Sunday night's loss to the White Sox, giving up seven hits and three walks in 5.2 innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Most of the damage came during a six-run sixth inning, but the game started off poorly for Verlander, giving up a homer to Nick Swisher on the second pitch of the game.
Apr 1 2008Verlander did not factor in the decision during his first Opening Day start on Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He fanned six and walked just one while keeping the Royals very quiet until Alex Gordon went deep with a two-run homer in the seventh. Both of the runners on base when he left came around to score and the Royals went on to win the game in extra innings, so a very nice outing was foiled by one bad inning for Verlander in his first start of the season.
Mar 1 2008Manager Jim Leyland officially named Verlander his Opening Day starter on Friday, the Detroit News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander will face Kansas City in the Tigers' opener on March 31 at Comerica Park. It will be Verlander's first Opening Day assignment.
Feb 14 2008While he hasn't made a decision yet, manager Jim Leyland said Verlander will likely be his Opening Day starter, the Tigers' official site reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "I really don't know," Leyland said. "I'll talk about it with [pitching coach] Chuck [Hernandez], but if I was to guess today, I would probably say Verlander. I think he's earned that honor ... but that's not anything etched in stone." The Tigers open the season at home on March 31 against the Royals. If Verlander starts that game, he'll become the sixth different Tigers pitcher in seven seasons to start on Opening Day.
Sep 12 2007Verlander allowed one run on seven hits over seven innings Wednesday in a win over the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's past four starts have been incredible. He has allowed three runs and 23 hits over 28.2 innings, striking out 26. Despite a somewhat shaky August, Verlander has won six of his past seven starts.
Sep 2 2007Verlander will have his next start pushed back to Friday after he threw 128 pitches in his start on Saturday, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander tossed 6.2 innings Saturday, striking out 10 and walking three. He's now 15-5 on the season.
Aug 27 2007Verlander threw seven scoreless innings allowing three hits and striking out six in Monday night's win over the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander rebounded well from one of his worst outings of the season (seven runs on 10 hits) August 22 against the Indians. He has won three of his last four starts.
Aug 22 2007Verlander allowed 10 hits and seven runs in an 11-8 loss to the Indians on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It was the first time all season that Verlander had allowed 10 hits and tied a season high for runs allowed (he gave up seven runs to the Indians in May, as well). He walked one and struck out five.
Aug 15 2007Verlander is fighting the flu bug and hopes to be able to make his next start, according to the Associated Press. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is the scheduled starter Thursday and is coming off of a nice effort against the A's (six innings, two runs allowed and seven strikeouts).
Aug 6 2007Verlander allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings in Monday night's win over Tampa Bay. He struck out six. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is winless in his past four starts with an ERA of 5.25 however a good sign is that Verlander didn't walk anyone after walking seven in his previous two starts.
Jul 23 2007Verlander's velocity was down a little on Saturday night, but manager Jim Leyland said Sunday that he's been assured there's nothing wrong with Verlander's arm, MLive.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "There is no tenderness, or any problem at all,'' Leyland said. Verlander's fastball failed to reach the high 90s, like it usually does, in his start on Saturday.
Jul 21 2007Verlander gave up five runs -- four earned -- over 5.2 innings against the Royals on Saturday and did not factor in the decision. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He struck out seven and walked just two, but the Royals were able to tie things up against Todd Jones in the ninth to take away Verlander's chance at the win. Still, there's not much to be discouraged about here as Verlander is putting together an excellent sophomore season.
Jul 10 2007Verlander's next scheduled start for the Tigers will come on Sunday at Seattle. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's last start came on Thursday. He'll therefore be ready to pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game on his normal four days of rest, and would then have four days' rest again before starting the second half on Sunday. That could mean Tigers manager Jim Leyland, who's also the AL All-Star manager, could give Verlander the All-Star Game start Tuesday night.
Jul 9 2007Verlander's next scheduled start for the Tigers will come on Sunday at Seattle. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's last start came on Thursday. He'll therefore be ready to pitch in Tuesday's All-Star game on his normal four days of rest, and would then have four days' rest again before starting the second half on Sunday. That could mean Tigers manager Jim Leyland, who's also the AL All-Star manager, could give Verlander the All-Star Game start Tuesday night.
Jun 29 2007Verlander tossed five innings Friday against the Twins, allowing six earned runs on four hits, walking five, and striking out five. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander wasn't doing that bad until giving up a grand slam to Joe Mauer in the fifth inning. This is the third time this season Verlander has walked five in a game, but the first since April 22.
Jun 23 2007Verlander allowed one run on four hits Saturday, picking up the victory over Atlanta. He struck out 11 while walking just two. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander, who has now won four straight starts, continues to pitch lights-out. He boasts a 1.24 ERA with 35 strikeouts and 10 walks over the four-game stretch.
Jun 20 2007Verlander will have his next start pushed back a day to Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager Jim Leyland wants to slot Kenny Rogers between Verlander and Jeremy Bonderman, who pitches on Wednesday.
Jun 12 2007Verlander tossed a no-hitter when the Tigers beat the Brewers Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Masterful. Verlander walked four and struck out a career-high 12 batters in the second no-hitter of the 2007 season. It was the first no-hitter for Detroit since 1984. Verlander threw 112 pitches - 73 for strikes. Of the 27 outs he recorded, just four were through the air. His curveball was simply unhittable.
May 17 2007Verlander allowed two runs on six hits in 7.2 innings Tuesday against the Red Sox to pick up his fourth win of the season. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander struck out seven and walked none in the outing. He has a 2.76 ERA with a 36:16 K:BB ratio and 1.22 WHIP through eight starts (49 innings) this season. So far the concerns about last season's heavy workload haven't been an issue as Verlander's stats are as solid as last year.
Apr 28 2007Verlander fell to 1-1 in Saturday's loss to the Twins. He was shelled for eight hits and five runs (three earned) over three innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After giving up no runs in his first two starts, Verlander had given up three runs in each of his previous two outings. Verlander has been solid this season, and Saturday's game was his first outing where he has failed to produce a quality start.
Apr 5 2007Verlander had his scheduled start for Thursday cancelled due to inclement weather. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Those is daily leagues should take note. Verlander will start on Friday against Kansas City.
Feb 16 2007Verlander has worked hard this offseason to increase his endurance, the Detroit News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "I'm really working my shoulder hard," Verlander said regarding his new offseason regimen. "I feel like it's working. Instead of dumbbells, I'm using manual resistance -- someone else applying resistance on the way up and me resisting on the way down. This is different than what I did last year, different and more intense. Last year was more dumbbells, and me being naEFve thinking I can just sort of halfway my way through these exercises and be able to make it through the year just fine." How Verlander does in August could be a key indicator of how well his offseason program worked. He started to show signs of fatigue last season in August, going 2-3 with a 6.83 ERA.
Nov 14 2006Verlander was named the AL Rookie of the Year Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander won decisively, accumulating 26-of-28 possible first-place votes. The hard throwing right-hander went 17-9 with a 3.63 ERA in 30 starts, and helped rejuvenate the Tigers this year.
Oct 21 2006Manager Jim Leyland announced Friday that Verlander will start Game 1 of the World Series for Detroit on Saturday, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kenny Rogers, Nate Robertson and Jeremy Bonderman will follow Verlander in the rotation.
Sep 30 2006Verlander (arm fatigue) played catch before Saturday's game. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander reported no problems and will be ready to take the mound in the playoffs.
Sep 26 2006The Tigers plan to skip Verlander's start later this week to give him a break before the playoffs, the Associated Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "He's tired, so it gives him a little extra time," manager Jim Leyland said Tuesday. "I think Verlander is fine. It's a mental thing, more than anything. Everybody has been telling him that this is the most innings he's pitched." It's been a big season for the rookie, but the Rookie of the Year race is pretty tight and we wonder if one more good start might have helped just a little.
Sep 19 2006Verlander surrendered six runs, six hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings to take the loss against the White Sox on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander, who allowed three homers, has given up six runs in each of his last two starts.
Sep 7 2006Verlander allowed one run and eight hits, striking out five, over seven innings to notch his 16th win of the season at Minnesota on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has looked good in his last two starts after surrendering eight runs at Cleveland on August 26. Over the last two outings, Verlander has given up just one run in 14 innings.
Aug 21 2006Verlander tossed seven innings of five-hit ball on Monday to pick up a win against the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander retired nine consecutive batters from the second inning into the fifth, and he allowed only one runner to get into scoring position. He's now 15-6 with a 3.05 ERA this season.
Aug 18 2006Verlander, who walked seven batters Wednesday against Boston, is 0-4 with a 7.66 ERA in five starts vs. the Red Sox, Yankees and White Sox this season. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is 14-2 with a 2.22 ERA against all other teams this season. "A lot of that's the youth," manager Jim Leyland told the Detroit Free Press. "You know how good the lineups are, and you try to be too careful." Verlander's next start is Monday night against the White Sox.
Aug 17 2006Verlander gave up five runs in six innings while getting the loss against the Red Sox on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: While there should be some concern about Verlander given his last two starts, keep in mind who they came against - the White Sox and the Red Sox. There's a long line of good pitchers who have gotten hit by those two teams.
Aug 13 2006The Tigers believe Verlander was tipping his pitches in his last start against the White Sox, the Tigers' official site reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander spent much of his Saturday morning in the clubhouse going over video from Friday night's game with pitching coach Chuck Hernandez. "They're a veteran club," Verlander said. "Maybe they've figured out something no one else has yet."
Aug 12 2006In his first appearance since skipping a start to rest a fatigued shoulder, Verlander allowed five runs and 13 hits, including two home runs in five innings on Friday in a loss to the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was a bit rusty after the extended rest but his velocity was fine as he was hitting 95-96 mph with his fastball. "I was very happy with him, but to their credit, they pretty much hit whatever he threw up there," manager Jim Leyland told the Detroit News. "If he made a bad pitch, they hit it -- and if he made a tough pitch, they hit a few of those, too."
Aug 10 2006Verlander (shoulder fatigue) says his arm feels better after getting the extra rest from skipping his last start, the Booth Newspapers report. He will start Friday in Chicago. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "I feel great," Verlander said Wednesday. "I threw in the bullpen (Tuesday), my arm feels solid, I'm ready to go. The next two starts are going to be high-atmosphere, high-intensity games. It's going to be a good challenge."
Aug 5 2006Verlander, who will miss his start on Sunday because of fatigue in his shoulder, is due to rejoin the rotation for his next turn, Friday in Chicago, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander said he felt fatigue in the back of his right shoulder in his last start. "It's nothing like sharp pain," he said. He also said the shoulder felt "sore." Verlander has pitched 135.1 innings this season, exceeding his combined total of 130 for all of last season. "We want to give him a little blow," manager Jim Leyland said. "It is nothing physical. He may be a little fatigued."
Aug 4 2006Verlander will miss his start on Sunday because of fatigue in his right arm, the Associated Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is a young pitcher who throws extremely hard, so workload is a concern. For now we won't worry too much, however, as Verlander is scheduled to return to the rotation next Friday in Chicago against the White Sox.
Aug 1 2006Verlander became the majors first 14-game winner on Tuesday, but did not have a great outing. He allowed three runs, eight hits and a pair of walks in just five innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It was the first time since June 23 that Verlander allowed more than one run in an outing.
Jul 27 2006Verlander picked up his 13th win Wednesday at Cleveland, working 6.2 strong innings. He allowed five hits and one run, with no walks and eight strikeouts. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has the lowest road ERA in the majors (2.04) among qualified starters. The AL Rookie of the Year debate is a corker right now, given what Verlander, Francisco Liriano and Jon Papelbon are doing (and that's not even mentioning Jered Weaver).
Jul 22 2006Verlander picked up his 12th win of the year on Friday night, holding the A's to one run over six innings of work. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander struck out five and walked only one in the effort. He's now tied with Josh Beckett and Roy Halladay for the major league lead in wins.
Jul 14 2006Verlander will make his first start after the All-Star break on Sunday against the Royals, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: A slight change of plans for the Tigers as Verlander was originally scheduled to face the White Sox on Tuesday. Kenny Rogers will now draw that assignment and Verlander will get a more favorable match-up against Kansas City.
Jul 8 2006Verlander likely won't make his next start until July 18 against the Chicago White Sox, the Booth Newspapers report. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The paper cites club sources that said the plan is for the Tigers to open up after the All-Star break with Jeremy Bonderman and Kenny Rogers pitching the first two games against Kansas City, and with Zach Miner and Nate Robertson also pitching before Verlander makes his next appearance. The Tigers want to try to reduce Verlander's workload in the second half as he is on pace to far exceed his previous total innings from any prior season.
Jul 4 2006Manager Jim Leyland said that Tuesday will be Verlander's last start until after the All-Star break, the Tigers' official site reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's next turn in the rotation would come on Sunday at Seattle but the Tigers are choosing to rest him instead in an effort to reduce the number of innings Verlander will throw this season. He's currently on pace to pass his career high of 130 innings pitched in mid-August.
Jun 28 2006Verlander threw eight shutout innings to beat the Astros on Wednesday afternoon, giving him 10 wins for the year. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander struck out seven, walked none and gave up just three hits. Verlander may not have the strikeouts that Francisco Liriano provides, but nearly everything else augurs well for him for the future.
Jun 25 2006Verlander hasn't been able to throw his knuckle curve over his last few starts because he has a sore spot on his index finger where he grips the ball, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has instead used a more conventional curve ball and his change-up. "He knew the curve wasn't there, so he had to use the change better," pitching coach Chuck Hernandez said. "It also made him think more about commanding his fastball. He's learned some things about pitching that he never had to. In the long run, it might be a blessing." Hernandez said that Verlander might resume throwing the knuckle curve in his next start.
Jun 23 2006Verlander pitched six innings to improve to 9-4 in Detroit92s 10-6 win over St Louis on Friday night. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander allowed seven hits, three walks and four earned runs while striking out five on 108 pitches. Verlander has not gone more than six innings in his past five starts and might be wearing down. Consider moving Verlander if you can get equal or better value in one year leagues.
Jun 17 2006Verlander scattered nine hits over 5 2/3 innings en route to his eighth win of the year on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Although he didn't shine in his first career outing at Wrigley Field, he was effective enough, striking out four and giving up just one earned run. Verlander is now 8-4 on the season with a 3.21 ERA and continues to stake his claim for the American League Rookie of the Year honors.
Jun 9 2006Verlander, who felt a little tenderness behind his right shoulder after a start last week, said his shoulder felt fine on Thursday, the Booth Newspapers report. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager Jim Leyland has indicated that Verlander will likely be on a pitch count of around 100 pitches moving forward. Leyland has also considered calling up a starter from the minors later this season for a spot start to allow him to skip Verlander in the rotation for additional rest.
Jun 8 2006Verlander told reporters after his start Wednesday that he felt 93a little tenderness94 behind his right shoulder after last Thursday92s start against the New York Yankees, the Booth Newspapers report. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Tigers do not believe the tenderness is anything serious, though it did lead to manager Jim Leyland pulling Verlander after 103 pitches Wednesday. 93That92s a golden arm, with a golden future,94 Leyland said. 93I92m not going to sacrifice anything for a ballgame.94
Jun 6 2006Verlander has been named the American League Rookie of the Month for May, the Tigers' official site reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was 4-1 during May with a 1.73 ERA. In 36 innings, he struck out 18 and walked six. He is the first Tiger to win the award since it was inaugurated in 2001.
Jun 1 2006Verlander surrendered six runs, seven hits and four walks in just five innings on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander threw 94 pitches with just 55 going for strikes. Verlander had won four straight starts with a 1.19 ERA over that span. Even with Thursday's shaky outing, he still sports an ERA of 3.12 for the season.
May 27 2006Verlander scattered seven hits across seven innings and gave up just one run on Saturday, earning his seventh win of the season. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander extended his scoreless innings streak to 20 before allowing a leadoff home run to Grady Sizemore in the fourth inning. His ERA now sits at a scant 2.55.
May 24 2006After Monday's complete-game shutout, Verlander led all Detroit starters with 60 innings pitched this season. Manager Jim Leyland said he has a plan for making sure Verlander stays strong over the course of the 162-game season, the Tigers' official site reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "It's a concern and I'll take care of it," Leyland said. "You can be a little creative. The way off-days fall sometimes, you can have a power arm skip a start and still have everyone else fall on their regular day." It's good to hear the Tigers will at least monitor Verlander's workload. He worked a combined 130 innings in 2005 at the Minor and Major League levels and is easily on pace to exceed that this year.
May 22 2006Verlander pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out seven while walking just one. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander extended his scoreless inning streak to 17, and has won his last three starts.
May 17 2006Verlander won for the fourth time in his last five starts when the Tigers beat Johan Santana and the Twins 2-0 on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander gave up six hits over eight scoreless innings. He didn't walk anyone and he didn't strike anyone out. Verlander is 5-3 with a 3.65 ERA and a 27/14 K/BB ratio in 51 innings this season. You'd like to see more strikeouts but you can't argue with the results right now.
May 10 2006Verlander gave up three runs, seven hits and three walks in 6.1 innings on Wednesday for his fourth win of the season. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has gone at least six innings in six of his seven starts. He has a 3.77 ERA and a 27/14 K/BB ratio in 43 innings pitched this season. He'll face Minnesota in his next start.
May 2 2006Verlander developed a blister on the knuckle of his right index finger and had some trouble throwing his curveball in his last start because of it, the Detroit Free Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The cause, presumably, is the way Verlander curls his finger to put the knuckle on the ball when he throws his curve. The blister does not affect his fastball and change-up. "Just a nuisance," Verlander said.
Apr 29 2006Verlander picked up his third win of the season on Saturday in Detroit's 18-1 victory over the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander pitched seven innings, allowing one run on six hits. He struck out four and walked two while lowering his ERA to 3.52.
Apr 24 2006The Tigers had Verlander on a pitch count in his start last Sunday after the young right-hander threw 121 pitches in his previous outing, the Detroit News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "I was going to keep him under 100 no matter what," manager Jim Leyland said. "I'm not a big pitch-count guy, never have been, but it's early in the season, so we'll watch him a little bit closer."
Apr 23 2006Verlander limited Seattle to one run in seven innings on Sunday, improving to 2-2 as a rookie. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He outdueled Felix Hernandez, giving up just four hits and a pair of walks while striking out three.
Apr 18 2006Verlander allowed four runs (three earned) and five hits over seven innings to take the loss at Oakland on Tuesday. He struck out seven and walked three. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander got rocked in his last start so this was an encouraging performance for the young righthander.
Apr 14 2006Verlander was hit hard on Thursday giving up seven runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander allowed home runs to Jim Thome and Tadahito Iguchi in a game that was full of offense. He'll try to bounce back in his next scheduled start Tuesday at Oakland.
Apr 12 2006Verlander's next start will be pushed up to Thursday's due to Mike Maroth's elbow injury, the Associated Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's owners get a nice bonus of an earlier start, perhaps allowing him to avoid fifth starter's treatment for the month. We'll see if he can build off of his sizzling first start against the Rangers.
Mar 27 2006Verlander walked five batters in his Monday start, the Tigers' official site reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander allowed 10 baserunners in his five-inning stint, though only three of them scored. He also had four strikeouts.
Mar 24 2006Verlander will begin the year as Detroit's fifth starter, Jim Leyland told the team's official site Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This call wasn't a major surprise, as Verlander has been solid in camp (13.6 innings, 12 hits, four runs, five walks, 12 strikeouts). Jason Grilli and Ramon Colon head to the bullpen with the Verlander appointment.
Mar 24 2006Verlander retired all six batters he faced against the Phillies Thursday, striking out two. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander's appearance was cut short by a rain delay, but obviously he didn't hurt his chances of making the team with this outing. We'll see what Jim Leyland has to say over the next few days.
Mar 13 2006Verlander made his third appearance of the spring Monday, allowing one run on one hit, a home run to Ryan Howard, while walking four and striking out three. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is competing with an even larger group for the fifth spot now as manager Jim Leyland said Monday that five, maybe six, pitchers are in contention for the final opening in the Detroit rotation. Jason Grilli, Wil Ledezma, Roman Colon and Joel Zumaya join Verlander in the competition while the sixth candidate remains unnamed at this point.
Mar 9 2006Verlander allowed a run on four hits in 2 2/3 innings Wednesday with a walk and two strikeouts. He gave up a home run to Michael Ryan on a 3-2 fastball and worked into four full counts out of five batters in the first inning before settling in. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander hasn't been dominant yet this spring but neither has any of his competition. He likely still has the lead on winning the fifth spot in Detroit's rotation.
Mar 3 2006Verlander, who is competing for the only opening in Detroit's rotation this spring, gave up two runs in two innings in his first outing of the spring Friday against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "If he had given up five runs, it wouldn't have meant anything," manager Jim Leyland told the Tigers' team site. "If he had struck out six guys, it wouldn't have meant anything. It was his first outing, and he was a little young and a little nervous." Verlander is competing with Joel Zumaya, who makes his spring debut on Saturday, and Roman Colon, who pitched Thursday, for the fifth spot in the Tigers' rotation.
Aug 5 2005Verlander (shoulder) will return to the mound at some point this season, though a looming innings limit could end his season soon after that, the Tigers' official site reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "It's fatigue-related," GM Dave Dombrowski said. "He's pitched 130 innings plus Spring Training. We were going to cut him off pretty soon anyway, so it's a situation where he's going to go down [to Lakeland] and do his rehab there. We'll progress from there. He'll get out on the mound at some point before he closes down for the wintertime."
Aug 3 2005Verlander will miss 10-14 days after being diagnosed with minor posterior capsular inflammation caused by fatigue, essentially a tired arm, the Tigers' team site reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander was pulled from his start Tuesday for Double-A Erie after three hitless innings. Manager Alan Trammell said game reports suggested Verlander's velocity was down from his usual mid- to upper-90s. Verlander could still be in the majors in September if his arm ends up feeling better when he returns. If not, the Tigers would likely shut him down for the season instead of taking chances.
Jul 23 2005Verlander picked up the loss in the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins and then was sent back down to Double-A Erie, the Associated Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander gave up five runs on eight hits in his six innings of work. He struck out three, walked two and gave up a homer to Justin Morneau in the loss.
Jul 20 2005Verlander will return to the minors after his spot start on Saturday, the Detroit News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: There had been speculation that Verlander would stay in the Detroit rotation after Saturday but Sean Douglass has been pitching well and does not deserve to lose his rotation spot.
Jul 5 2005The Tigers optioned Verlander to Double-A Erie on Tuesday, the Associated Press reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander should be back in September, if not sooner.
Jul 2 2005Manager Alan Trammell confirmed that Verlander will head back to the minors after his spot start against Cleveland on Monday, the Tigers' team site reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "This is a one-time thing," Trammell said. "We all think he needs some more time. But this is not the first time that something like this has happened. When you have an emergency, you bring somebody up and put them in, and you send them right back out."
Jul 1 2005Verlander is scheduled to make his major league debut for the Tigers on Monday, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander has been told he will start the second game of a day-night doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians. He will pitch one inning Friday against Double-A Reading in Erie, his final tuneup for Monday. It appears Verlander will be sent back to the minors after the start, but a strong performance could change things. "You never know what can happen," Verlander said. "They told me [yesterday] that they had a sixth spot [in the rotation] open and I was the guy. I'm pretty stoked about it."
Jun 29 2005Verlander is being considered for a spot start in Monday's doubleheader at Cleveland, the Tigers' team site reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander is already on the 40-man roster, so he wouldn't use up an additional major league option. However, he's scheduled to start at Double-A on Friday, so he'd have to be held back three days. Tigers pitching coach Bob Cluck said no pitcher is being ruled out because of when their next scheduled start would fall. Matt Ginter is also being considered for the spot start and seems to be the more likely of the two to get the assignment.
Jun 19 2005Verlander was promoted to Double-A Erie on Sunday, the Tigers' team site reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander will make his SeaWolves debut Tuesday. He finishes high Single-A at 9-2 with a 1.67 ERA, 70 hits allowed and a 104/19 K/BB in 86 innings pitched.
Jun 9 2003Verlander pitched eight strong innings Thursday, striking out 10 to earn the win against Seattle. Verlander gave up a run on five hits and one walk. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Verlander needed 126 pitches to get through eight innings, but the good news is that he showed no problems from the line drive he took off his thigh during his last start.