Verlander’s game of catch goes ‘very well’
Astros starter Justin Verlander played catch Monday, and word of that development Tuesday marked the first substantive update regarding his potential return before season’s end.
Details were scant regarding Verlander’s workout, the first update on his condition since Astros manager Dusty Baker said a week ago the 2019 Cy Young Award winner was “not progressing as quickly as he’d like.”
“It went very well,” said Astros pitching coach Brent Strom. “I’m not sure as to the intensity. I’m assuming it was just the beginning of the road to getting back, but all reports were good in terms of how he felt after it.”
Neither Strom nor Baker provided more details about Monday’s activity by Verlander, who has not pitched since the season opener July 24 and went on the injured list with what was described as a forearm strain.
Two people with knowledge of the situation told the Chronicle last month that Verlander suffered an elbow injury that would prevent him from returning this season.
Verlander in a social media post described that prognosis as “not accurate,” but he has not spoken publicly on his condition since then.
In an interview with USA Today last week, Astros owner Jim Crane acknowledged Verlander’s injury was elbow-related and even hinted that Tommy John surgery is possible for the 37-yearold righthander.
“He’s hopeful, so we’ll see,” Crane told the newspaper. “But you never know with these elbows. It could be a slight tear. It could be a strain. But if he had to have Tommy John, and I don’t think that’s anywhere near clear yet, he wouldn’t be back until 2022.”