Verlander boosts Astros’ rotation

AL West leaders send prospects to Tigers for right-hander.

In a move just before the deadline for players to be eligible for the playoffs, the Houston Astros acquired Justin Verlander late Thursday night in a trade with the Detroit Tigers.

The right-hander joins the American League West leaders and a rotation that includes Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers.

The 34-year-old Verlander, who won the Cy Young Award in 2011, is 10-8 with a 3.82 ERA this season. The Tigers will receive three minor league prospects.

Rangers: Adrian Beltre could miss a minimum of four weeks, the rest of the regular season, after an MRI showed a Grade 2 strain in his left hamstring.

Tigers: Right-hander Michael Fulmer (10-12, 3.83 ERA) will miss at least two starts with recurring numbness in his pitching hand. He has been bothered by the problem for most of the season.

Brewers: Matt Garza (6-8, 4.77 ERA) won’t make his scheduled start in Sunday’s finale with the Nationals. The right-hander is 0-2 with a 7.82 ERA in his past three starts totaling 12⅔ innings. Milwaukee lost four of his past five starts.

“Matt is going to figure into the rotation going forward, but he is not going to start Sunday,” manager Craig Counsell said.

Marlins: First baseman Justin Bour (strained right oblique) is expected to begin a rehab assignment today with Double-A Jacksonville. He’s unlikely to join the Marlins during their homestand, manager Don Mattingly said.

Cubs: Outfielder Leonys Martin, who was acquired in a trade with Seattle on Thursday, is expected to join the team today.

Norris suspended: Freeagent catcher Derek Norris was suspended for the rest of the season by Major League Baseball for violating the sport’s domestic violence policy nearly two years ago.

The commissioner’s office said Norris, 28, violated the policy on Oct. 21, 2015, but did not announce the nature of the violation. Released by Tampa Bay on June 29, Norris was placed on the restricted list for the remainder of the season. Norris did not contest the ruling.

“Mr. Norris cooperated throughout the investigation, including submitting to an in-person interview with MLB’s Department of Investigations,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “After reviewing the evidence, I determined that Mr. Norris’ conduct warranted discipline.”