Verlander sidelined with forearm strain

Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander has a strained right forearm and will be shut down for at least two weeks.

Astros manager Dusty Baker announced the injury after Houston’s 7-6 loss to the Mariners on Sunday, saying Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.

Verlander denied a report that the injury would end his season in a tweet Sunday night.

“The report that I’m currently missing the rest of the season is not accurate,” he tweeted. “There is a forearm strain ... I’m hopeful that with some rest it will heal and I’ll be able to return soon. Thank you for all the well wishes.”

Baker also denied the report.

KLUBER LEAVES GAME » Corey Kluber, who was acquired by the Rangers in an offseason trade with the Indians, lasted one inning and 18 pitches in his first start in almost 15 months. The three-time All-Star was knocked out of his last start for the Indians on May 1, 2019, after his right forearm was broken by a comeback liner.

Finally back on the mound after his comeback attempt last year ended with an oblique injury in a rehab start, the 34-year-old Kluber struck out David Dahl to start the game. He walked Story and retired Charlie Blackmon on a popup after Story was thrown out trying to steal.

The Rangers said Kluber reported feeling the tightness in the first few pitches and it got worse as the inning progressed. He was examined by a team doctor and will be further evaluated July 27.

Kluber wasn’t made available to reporters after the game, and manager Chris Woodward didn’t have an update on the condition of his shoulder..

NFL

SOURCE: GIANTS KICKER OUT » A person with knowledge of the details says the New York Giants are going to release 2018 Pro Bowl placekicker Aldrick Rosas. The person told The Associated Press the team is not ready to announce the move but reports the 25-year-old would not be back with the Giants were accurate. NFL Network was first to report the transaction.

Soccer

JUVENTUS REIGNS AGAIN » It’s no exaggeration to say that Cristiano Ronaldo had more of an impact on Juventus’ recordextending ninth straight Serie A title than anyone else.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner matched a record by scoring in 11 straight league matches before the break for the coronavirus pandemic and quickly regained his form during the restart by reaching the 30goal mark after only 30 games in his second season in Italy.

For his 31st goal, Ronaldo scored the opener when Juventus beat Sampdoria 2-0 on Sunday to seal the title with two games to spare.

Ronaldo needs only one more goal to break a tie for the Juventus single-season record for league goals set by Felice Borel in 1933-34.