San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Justin Verlander lasted just 2 1/3 innings in Friday's 10-9 victory over the Mariners in extra innings. The veteran allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two. The nine-time All-Star threw 65 pitches in the limited time he was on the mound before being pulled. The righty has combined for less than eight innings over his first two starts, owning a 6.14 ERA and a gaudy 1.91 WHIP along with a 3:7 BB:K. With diminishing strikeout rates for four consecutive seasons and corresponding increases in ERA and WHIP, the three-time Cy Young winner has become a dicey fantasy play. He'll face off with the Reds at home in his next turn through the rotation.

San Francisco Giants right-hander Justin Verlander (back, shoulder) said on a video call with the media that he started throwing earlier this offseason and is up to 92 mph and is feeling good. Verlander was limited to 17 starts with the Houston Astros last season in his 19th year in the big leagues due to back and shoulder ailments, but he said he's addressed the physical issues that cut his season short in 2024. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Gigantes last week and will hope to stay healthier in his 20th MLB campaign. The three-time Cy Young winner and former MVP will be hoping to rebound in his new digs in a good pitcher's park in the Bay Area in 2025, but with his strikeout rate continuing to fall and with injuries now a big issue, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the San Francisco Giants have signed free agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander to a one-year contract pending physical. The 41-year-old had a disappointing season last season with the Astros as he posted a 5.48 ERA and a 1.38 across 90 1/3 innings of work. The right-hander opened the season on the injured list with a shoulder injury and then missed time due to a neck injury. However, during 2022 and 2023, Verlander held a cumulative 2.45 ERA and 0.98 WHIP and was the AL Cy Young winner in 2022. Last season, the veteran saw his K rate drop to a low 18.7% rate but he continued to suppress hard contact as he generated a strong 32.5% hard-hit rate and a 6.9% barrel rate. Fantasy managers should expect Verlander to have a spot in the starting rotation throughout the 2025 campaign and is worth a look in deeper formats as he hopes to bounce back from an injury riddled 2024.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, multiple teams are interested in free agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander. Verlander had a disappointing campaign last summer, posting a high 5.48 ERA and a 1,38 WHIP across 90 1/3 innings of work. The 41-year-old opened the season in the injured list with a shoulder injury and then missed time later in the summer due to a neck injury. Last season, Verlander saw his strikeout rate continue to decrease and walk rate climb, in relation to his 2023 production. In addition, the right-hander generated a .301 xwOBA which was his highest mark since his 2017 season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Verlander's status as we approach Spring Training. Seeing that teams are interested suggests he will likely sign with a club in 2025, but fantasy managers should draft him with caution given his injury troubles last season and declining metrics.

Houston Astros veteran right-hander Justin Verlander said he plans to continue his career and pitch in 2025. Verlander, who dealt with injuries in 2024 and pitched in only 17 games, wasn't even included on the team's playoff roster for the Wild-Card Series versus the Detroit Tigers, which the Astros lost in two games to get eliminated. In his 17 starts during the regular season, the three-time Cy Young winner had a bloated 5.48 ERA (4.78 FIP) and a 1.38 WHIP with 74 strikeouts and 27 walks in 90 1/3 innings pitched. His strikeout rate dropped to 18.7%, the first time it has been under 20% since 2014. The future Hall of Famer began the year on the injured list due to a right-shoulder injury and was later sidelined due to a neck injury. Verlander could bounce back with better health in 2025, but he'll also turn 42 before the season, and Father Time isn't on his side. Obviously, Verlander is no longer the fantasy ace he was for so many years.

The Houston Astros have left right-hander Justin Verlander off the roster for the wild-card series this week at Minute Maid Park against the Detroit Tigers. It's crazy to think that a three-time Cy Young winner won't be on the Astros' playoff roster, but considering what the 41-year-old has done this year, it doesn't come as that big of a surprise. Verlander battled injuries in his 19th MLB season and was only able to make 17 starts (90 1/3 innings), going 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA (4.78 FIP), a 1.38 WHIP, 74 strikeouts and 27 walks. The nine-time All-Star was not good in the second half of the season in his seven starts, allowing 30 earned runs on 46 hits (four home runs) while walking 10 and striking out 23 in 33 1/3 innings of work. Houston is rolling with left-hander Framber Valdez in Game 1 and will likely use Ronel Blanco and Yusei Kikuchi the rest of the series. If Houston advances to the ALDS to face Cleveland, Verlander could be added to the playoff roster.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander made his return to the mound against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. The 41-year-old looked sharp on the mound considering he has been sidelined the last two and a half months due to a neck issue. Verlander struck out six batters while allowing four hits and two runs over six innings of work. That is an extremely nice outing for a pitcher that hasn't thrown in a big league game since early June. The right-hander still appears to have something left in the tank. He'll take a 3.92 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 57/18 K/BB ratio into his next matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies. Fantasy managers looking for pitching help should check to see if Verlander is available.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) is currently scheduled to take the ball against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. The 41-year-old has been sidelined since mid-June due to a neck issue. Verlander looked good during his most recent rehab start at Double-A Corpus Christi on Thursday. It sounds like Verlander is ready to return after his bullpen session on Sunday went well. He holds a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, with 51 strikeouts across 10 starts this season. Verlander isn't the same pitcher he once was, but he should still be an asset in most fantasy formats.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) will make his next rehab assignment start later this week either at Triple-A Sugar Land or Double-A Corpus Christi. Verlander threw 52 pitches over three innings in a start for Sugar Land against El Paso on Saturday. The veteran right-hander allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three. "He bounced back well," manager Joe Espada said. If all goes well in his next minor-league rehab appearance, Verlander should be able to rejoin Houston's rotation by the middle of next week. Before going on the injured list due to neck stiffness, he went 3-2 with a respectable 3.95 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 17 walks in 10 starts (57 innings) for the Astros in 2024.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (neck) will make a minor-league rehab start at Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday at Constellation Field. Verlander is set to start his rehab assignment after throwing a 37-pitch, two-inning simulated game on Sunday and a successful bullpen session on Wednesday. Because he's been on the injured list since the middle of June, the 41-year-old future Hall of Fame will likely require more than one rehab start to build up his arm after recovering from a neck injury. But barring a setback in the minors, Verlander should be ready to rejoin Houston's starting rotation before the end of August. The three-time Cy Young winner no longer has a strikeout rate above 30% like he did in his prime, but he can still be dominant at times in the right matchups. Before hurting his neck, he had gone 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 10 starts (57 innings).

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) will throw one final bullpen session ahead of Wednesday's game against the division-rival Texas Rangers. If all goes well, he will have a minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land at some point this weekend. Verlander threw 37 pitches in two simulated innings on Sunday morning, and he will likely need two rehab outings before rejoining Houston's rotation. Fantasy managers can expect to get the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer back in the mix sometime in the middle of August. Before going on the shelf due to neck stiffness, Verlander went 3-2 with a serviceable 3.95 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 17 walks in 10 starts (57 innings) for the Astros in 2024.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) will throw a live bullpen session prior to Sunday's game against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays before heading out on a minor-league assignment. He faced hitters on the main mound at Minute Maid Park ahead of Wednesday's contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates and threw close to 30 pitches. There was some hope that Verlander could return to Houston's rotation without needing action in the minors as he ramped up in his throwing progression, but fantasy managers will likely have to wait until mid-to-late August before he's available again. The 41-year-old veteran right-hander was placed on the injured list back on June 18 with neck stiffness, going 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 17 walks in 10 starts (57 innings) before suffering the injury. Verlander should remain stashed in all fantasy leagues as an option to help rosters down the stretch.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) will throw on the main mound at Minute Maid Park ahead of Tuesday's game against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. "J.V. will be facing hitters, but the hitters will not swing," manager Joe Espada added. The 41-year-old veteran right-hander threw 50-plus pitches in the bullpen at Minute Maid Park prior to Saturday's game against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers, and he appears to be building toward a minor-league rehab assignment in the near future. Verlander went 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 51:17 K:BB in 10 starts before going down with neck stiffness, and he should be back in Houston's rotation sometime in early-to-mid August based on where he's currently at in his throwing progression. Fantasy managers should continue to hold onto the future Hall of Famer.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that right-hander Justin Verlander (neck) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday. Verlander threw a 40-pitch bullpen session last weekend and was scheduled to throw another on Wednesday, so he's clearly getting closer to going out on a minor-league rehab assignment as he attempts to return from a neck ailment that has kept him on the 15-day injured list since June 18. If the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young winner doesn't suffer a setback on Saturday, he could be cleared to move to a rehab assignment. Verlander is no longer as dominant towards the end of his illustrious career, but he's still useful in the right matchups in most fantasy leagues when he's healthy. He's posted a 21.3% strikeout rate with a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB in 10 starts (57 innings) for the 'Stros this year.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session ahead of Wednesday's game against the division-rival Oakland Athletics. Verlander threw all of his pitches during Saturday's 40-pitch session, and he still has a chance to return to Houston's rotation before the end of July if he's able to dodge going out on a brief minor-league rehab assignment before getting activated from the 15-day injured list. The 41-year-old veteran right-hander went 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 51 strikeouts in 10 starts (57 innings) before heading to the shelf with neck stiffness, and he should be stashed in all fantasy leagues with his return perhaps looming.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) completed a 40 pitch bullpen on Saturday. The bullpen marks progression for the right-hander after he threw a 25 pitch bullpen on Sunday. There's no indication yet whether Verlander will need to throw another bullpen before either starting a rehab assignment or coming back to the Astros' rotation, though it would be unlikely for him to not progress without another bullpen or a rehab assignment. The 41-year-old had posted a 3.95 ERA before dealing with neck discomfort. Fantasy managers should prepare for a return to the majors at some point in August unless the team states otherwise. In the meantime, fantasy managers looking for starting pitching help that weren't able to snag Hunter Brown may want to look at Spencer Arrighetti, who's season-long stats don't reflect the recent improvement (3.68 ERA and 28 K in his last four starts).

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that right-hander Justin Verlander (neck) will throw another bullpen session on Saturday. Verlander used all of his pitches in a 25-pitch bullpen session on Sunday and will have another side session this weekend as he works his way back from a neck issue that landed him on the 15-day injured list in the middle of June. It's unclear if the 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner will need a short minor-league rehab assignment before returning to Houston's starting rotation, but if he doesn't need one, he'll have a good shot at returning before the calendar flips to August. The future Hall of Famer is no longer an elite fantasy starter, but he still deserves to be rostered in all fantasy leagues and has gone 3-2 with an ERA under 4.00 with a 1.21 WHIP and a 51:17 K:BB in 57 innings over his 10 starts in 2024.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) threw a successful 25-pitch bullpen session on Sunday. The 41-year-old continues to work his way back from a neck issue that has sidelined him for about a month. It sounds like Verlander is making progress, but the Astros are going to continue being cautious with him. He'll still need to do a few rehab outings before rejoining the Astros rotation. The hope is that Verlander can help the Astros over the final few months of the season.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck) played catch for a third straight day ahead of Friday's series opener against the division-rival Texas Rangers. Manager Joe Espada is encouraged by Verlander's progress and said the right-hander mentioned throwing from the mound, so that could be something that happens relatively soon. While the 41-year-old former All-Star won't be back with the Astros until sometime after the All-Star break, he appears to be close to taking a significant step forward in his throwing progression on the way back from neck stiffness. Verlander holds a solid 3.95 ERA (4.99 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 17 walks through 57 innings (10 starts) in Houston's rotation in 2024, and he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (neck) said he's now throwing more than every other day and is feeling better. However, he did not give a timetable for when he could resume throwing off a mound again. The good news is that Verlander is throwing, but the bad news is he's recovering slowly from a neck issue and probably isn't going to be ready to return to Houston's starting rotation for the start of the second half of the season at this pace. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young is most likely going to require a minor-league rehab assignment before being reinstated from the injured list in the second half. Rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti's spot in Houston's rotation should be secure for a while with Verlander still sidelined. The future Hall of Famer is no longer a fantasy ace and has only a 21.3% strikeout rate this year, but he should still be stashed in all leagues.