LOOKING AHEAD

A look at what’s happening around the majors Sunday:

SHUT DOWN: Justin Verlander’s bid to rejoin the Astros for a playoff push is over. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner says he needs Tommy John surgery, likely putting him out of action through all of next year.

The 37-year-old right-hander threw to hitters on the side Wednesday for the first time since he was injured in the team’s opener on July 24.

“I tried as hard as I could to come back and play this season,” Verlander said. “Unfortunately, my body just didn’t cooperate.”

The Astros hold the eighth and final spot in the AL playoff race.

Verlander went 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA last year, striking out a career-high 300 and throwing his third no-hitter. He pitched 223 innings, most in the majors, and then made six more starts in the postseason as the Astros reached the World Series.

TRYING AGAIN: Madison Bumgarner makes another attempt at his first win since signing an $85 million, fiveyear contract in the offseason as a free agent with the Diamondbacks.

The 2014 World Series MVP is 0-4 with an 8.53 ERA in seven starts for Arizona. The left-hander also has been slowed by back trouble.

Bumgarner is set to start at Houston.

GARDY OUT: Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire announced his immediate retirement Saturday barely over an hour before a game against Cleveland, saying he’s been “stressed out” and not feeling well. Gardenhire, who turns 63 next month, was in his third season as Detroit’s manager after he previously had a 13-year run with the Twins that included six AL Central titles.

Gardenhire missed time recently because of stomach issues.