AROUND THE HORN
■ Astros: Justin Verlander will undergo Tommy John surgery and is expected to be out through the 2021 season, ending his bid to make a late return for a playoff push. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner announced the news Saturday on his Instagram account. “In my simulated game a couple days ago, I felt something inmy elbow, and after looking at my MRI and conversing with some of the best doctors in the world, we’ve determined that Tommy John surgery is my best option,” Verlander said. The 37year- old right- hander threw to hitters on Wednesday for the first time sincehewas injuredin the team’s opener on July
24. He threw 50 pitches in the bullpen before throwing about 25 pitches to hitters in two simulated innings. “I tried as hard as I could to come back and play this season,” Verlander said. “Unfortunately, my body just didn’t cooperate.” Astros manager Dusty Baker said he was hopeful Verlander would return, but he was also fearful of howthingswere looking. “I talked to him this morning,” Baker said. “He’s not crazy about the outcome, but it is what it is. He has to get it taken care of. He’s pitched for years. He’s been a warrior and a leader. Hopefully, this will prolong his career, and he can be back to pitching. I always told him he’s a medical marvel, and he’s a great physical specimen.”
■ Athletics: Jake Lamb hit a two-run homer once the Athletics finally got to the Giants’ bullpen, and the playoff-bound A’s beat the Giants by the same 6-0 score for a second straight game Saturday. Lefty starter Jesus Luzardo gave up five hits over six innings, striking out sevenwithout a walk.
■ Cardinals: Starting pitcher Daniel Ponce de Leon has been optioned to the alternate training site.
■ Giants: Outfielder Alex Dickerson has been placed on paternity list, while pitcher Andrew Suarez was optioned to the alternate training site. Pitcher Wandy Peralta and infielder Daniel Robertson were recalled from the alternate training site.
■ Tigers: Manager Ron Gardenhire announced his immediate retirement barely over an hour before Saturday night’s game against the Indians, saying he’s been “stressed out” and not feeling well. The news came in an abruptly called video conference around 5 p.m. as the Tigers prepared to play the Indians. A message of “Thank you, Gardy” was posted on the scoreboardat Comerica Park. Bench coach Lloyd McClendon is taking over as manager for the rest of the season, which is scheduled to end Sept. 27. Detroit was 21-29 heading into Saturday night’s game andwas unlikely to make the postseason. Gardenhire, who turns 63 next month, was in his third season as the Tigers manager after he previously had a 13-year run with the Twins that included six AL Central titles. He’s had to oversee a significant rebuild with the Tigers that included a 114loss season in 2019. Gardenhire missed time recently because of stomach issues, and he indicated Saturday that the stress of managingwas difficult.