Astros right-hander Justin Verlander will return from the injured list to start Wednesday's series finale against the visiting Boston Red Sox, Houston manager Joe Espada confirmed Monday. Verlander has been sidelined since June 9 with neck soreness. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and former MVP made a pair of rehab starts for Double-A Corpus Christi and last pitched on Thursday, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits over four innings. He fanned five without walking a batter. The 41-year-old is 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA in 10 starts amid an injury-filled campaign. He started the year on the IL with right shoulder inflammation, which kept him out until April 19. Verlander has amassed a 260-143 career record with a 3.25 ERA across 19 major league seasons with the Detroit Tigers (2005-17), New York Mets (2023) and Astros (2017-22, 2023-24). He rejoins a Houston team vying for its fourth straight American League West title and seventh in the last eight years. The Astros entered Monday four games ahead of the second-place Seattle Mariners. Verlander is 6-6 with a 2.74 ERA across 20 regular-season starts against the Red Sox. He last faced Boston on Aug. 22, 2023, when he struck out nine over six scoreless frames during Houston's 7-3 home win. --Field Level Media
Aug 4, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) warms up prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports