Verlander needs Tommy John surgery

Houston Astros ace 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 a 1½-minute video.

“In my simulated game a couple days ago, I felt something in my 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 37-year-old righthander threw to hitters Sept. 16 for the first time since he was injured in 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.” Houston manager Dusty Baker said he was hopeful Verlander would return, but he was also fearful of how things were looking.

College football

FSU COACH TESTS POSITIVE

» Florida State coach Mike Norvell has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not coach the Seminoles in-person this week as they prepare for Miami.

Norvell released a statement saying he tested positive a day earlier but is feeling fine. He said his wife and daughter tested negative.

Florida State athletic director David Coburn said Norvell is isolating, which lasts a minimum of 10 days.

CLEMSON ROLLS » Trevor Lawrence threw nine passes.

Three of them went for touchdowns. It was that kind of day for No. 1 Clemson. Lawrence and star running back Travis Etienne got plenty of rest as the top-ranked Tigers rolled to a 49-0 victory over The Citadel.

NFL

LAPSE IN PROTOCOL » A Kansas City Chiefs fan who tested positive for COVID-19 one day after attending the season opener was allowed into an openair field box in the stadium’s lower level without a negative test through a lapse in protocol, health officials say.

Chiefs policy stipulates that fans be tested for the virus before being admitted to suites, including the lower level field boxes. They are mailed tests, and each suite has a designated administrator charged with handing out tickets to those who’ve received negative results. Those in regular seats are not tested, The Kansas City Star reports.

Kansas City Health Department spokesman Bill Snook said the agency is working with the Chiefs, who are responsible for the testing, to strengthen the protocol.

NHL

NEXT SEASON START » Gary Bettman will take his first sigh of relief in months when he presents the Stanley Cup.

“Maybe I’ll get a full night sleep,” the NHL Commissioner said. Maybe one, and then the work begins on next season. Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly had more questions of their own than answers next season, though it’s always been questionable if it will start on Dec. 1 as tentatively planned. Bettman raised the possibility of a start sometime later in December or even January.