“Obviously, extremely concerned”- Twitter anxious as Justin Verlander exits game vs Orioles in hurry
Before ending his start against the Orioles tonight after just three innings and 60 pitches, Justin Verlander complained of right calf pain. It was Verlander’s briefest appearance and fewest pitches of the year. When the game, and most likely after the Astros medical team conducts a series of tests on Verlander’s calf, more information on the right-condition handers will be available.
Since there was no early sign of strain, the team’s categorization of the injury as only “discomfort” is encouraging for the time being. This week, the Astros have off days on Monday and Thursday, so barring a very small problem for Justin Verlander, Houston can skip his next turn in the rotation without having to make any major changes to the pitching staff.
Of course, the Astros have probably the strongest and deepest pitching staff in the league, so if Justin Verlander were to go on the injured list, Cristian Javier, who had recently moved to the bullpen, could take over as the starter straight away. While a temporary replacement is not an issue, the Astros and their hopes of returning to the World Series would suffer greatly if Verlander were to be sidelined for an extended period of time.
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The Orioles hope that Justin Verlander’s injury is a minor one
After being forced to miss almost the entire 2020 and 2021 seasons due to Tommy John surgery, Verlander made a comeback at age 39 and put together one of the best seasons of his already illustrious career. Verlander looked to be the favorite to win the AL Cy Young Award (which would be the third CYA of his career) going into today’s action with a 1.87 ERA over 149 innings, the best mark in the MLB. He was also showing no signs of wear and tear from his two-year hiatus.
Although it certainly benefits the Orioles that Justin Verlander is unexpectedly done after three innings, it's worth noting that the Astros' bullpen entered today with a 2.99 ERA, tops in the majors.
— Nathan Ruiz (@NathanSRuiz) August 28, 2022
Justin Verlander, the leading candidate for the AL Cy Young, is out of today's game after only three innings. Seth Martinez is taking over for him in the fourth against Baltimore.
There is no immediate word about why Verlander has been pulled after 60 pitches.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 28, 2022
Dusty Baker said Justin Verlander hurt his calf while covering first base on a play in the third inning. Verlander came off the field and immediately told the Astros about the injury. He is getting imaging done Monday and more will be known about his prognosis then.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) August 28, 2022
Prayer Circle:
🕯 🕯
— Space Lawyer (@rrossjd) August 28, 2022
🕯 🕯
2022 AL
🕯 Cy Young 🕯
Justin Verlander
🕯 🕯
🕯 🕯
The Astros are hopeful that Verlander’s issue is only minor discomfort. It would be devastating for the Astros to lose him in the final weeks of the regular season as they compete for the top seed in the American League playoffs.
The Astros pulled Justin Verlander after just 60 pitches through 3 scoreless innings, though nothing from his last inning showed signs of injury
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 28, 2022
Justin Verlander came out of his last start early, but that was on a pitch count with the Astros going to a 5-man rotation.
Hoping this exit is nothing serious for him. Astros are getting hammered by injuries this past week.
— Owen (@Alakazam_428) August 28, 2022
No Astros game today, but many fans will be nervously checking Twitter to see if the team releases an update on Justin Verlander’s MRI. I would be shocked if we learn anything meaningful unless he requires surgery. Prediction: “no structural damage, rest and rehab, no timeline.”
— The Astros Locker (@TheAstrosLocker) August 29, 2022
This could be the play Justin Verlander hurt his calf on.
Reports say he hurt it while covering first during the third inning.
Here's my commentary.
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) August 28, 2022
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