WEST PALM BEACH (Fla.) — Still sporting a 0.00 ERA following three spring training starts. Astros ace Justin VerlanderHouston plans to start the year on Opening Day, so they won’t be able to begin until then.
Dusty Baker, Manager, stated that Verlander will be skipping the opener on April 7, at the Los Angeles AngelsHe is better positioned to take advantage the Astros’ three off days in the first week.
Baker stated Tuesday that “we’ve got to be slightly apprehensive in the beginning.”
The 39-year old Verlander returned from Tommy John surgery and hasn’t pitched in a major-league game since the delayed Opening Day for the COVID-19-shortened 2020 Season. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Verlander threw six innings on July Day before the team was shut down for 2019.
Verlander, Houston’s Opening Day starter prior to 2021 was Houston’s first since his 2017 trade.
“Could you have tried to build up in time for Opening Day?” Verlander agreed. “But after talking with the doctors, coaches, and everybody involved, it just didn’t make much sense to put myself through that stress for just a single start.”
Verlander pitched four scoreless innings against Washington Tuesday, allowing only two hits. He struck out six batters and walked only one.
The right-hander has allowed just five hits and has not allowed a run in his 8 1/3 innings of work this spring. He has walked three and fanned 10.
Verlander launched Houston’s first Grapefruit League contest, and then started his second contest five days later. Houston was able to flip Verlander this time. Framber ValdezIn the rotation
Verlander stated, “It would have been nice and fun to go out there Opening Day and kinda be back there in that atmosphere.” “But it’s also, because of all the perspectives that I have had over the last two years, it’s really going to be enjoyable this Opening Day — I won’t have to pitch and I can just watch the festivities.”
28-year-old Valdez made his Grapefruit League debut on Monday. He was only one hit batter and he pitched three perfect innings. It will be Valdez’s first Opening Day start if he gets the ball April 7.
The right-hander has a record of 24-17 with a 3.74 ERA in four major league seasons.
Baker stated that it was not about anything except that they are trying to pick between Framber and he — which one is most likely the strongest and can handle second and third starts after that.”
The Nationals were facing Verlander, and Verlander was able to srtuck out four of the first four batters. Verlander allowed only one hit. It was a flyball. Nelson CruzThat landed in front Kyle TuckerIt was just inches from the right field line. It was Cruz’s 19th hit since signing with Washington.
Verlander threw 45 out of his 62 pitches to strike.
Verlander was able to regain some of the sharpness that he lost in his previous spring trips by changing his hand placement early in his delivery.
Verlander stated, “I think that I found a little bit mechanically that has cleaned up quite a lot of stuff — one those easy fixes.”
Verlander will likely make another spring start before the Astros break camp.
Houston right-hander Jose UrquidyOn Wednesday, he will make his first Grapefruit Liga start at the New York Mets.