Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander is experiencing a delay in his Spring Training schedule due to a shoulder problem. Verlander spoke to the media today, with MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart sharing a video of the veteran discussing the issue. General manager Dana Brown also mentioned that pitcher J.P. France is dealing with shoulder inflammation, but Brown isn’t too concerned since both players are still able to play catch. Brown stated that if they were unable to play catch, it would be more worrisome, according to the Houston Chronicle’s Matt Kawahara.
Verlander acknowledged that he is currently behind schedule and needs to be cautious with his build-up due to a hiccup he experienced early on. He mentioned that his body doesn’t respond the same way at 40 as it did at 25. Verlander explained that when he first started playing catch, he usually took a break for a while. However, this time when he resumed throwing, his shoulder didn’t feel great. As a result, he had to take a step back and be diligent in his recovery. Verlander also mentioned that his availability for Opening Day will depend on how things progress in the next few weeks.
Although the concern seems relatively minor at this point, it’s not ideal for the team to have a couple of pitchers dealing with issues as Spring Training begins. Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis García are already set to start the season on the injured list, as they both underwent significant surgeries last year. Brown mentioned earlier this week that McCullers and García are on track to return in the second half of the season, according to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi.
If McCullers and García are unavailable, the Astros’ rotation would likely consist of Verlander, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, and Hunter Brown, with one spot available for players like France, José Urquidy, or Brandon Bielak. If Verlander or France end up needing to go on the injured list, the rotation would need to be adjusted accordingly.
Verlander, who will turn 41 next week, dealt with a shoulder issue last spring when he was with the Mets. He was placed on the injured list in March due to a teres major strain and didn’t make his season debut until May. Despite the setback, Verlander was able to make 27 starts between the Mets and Astros, though his performance wasn’t as dominant as his Cy Young-winning year in 2022. His ERA increased from 1.75 to 3.22, and his strikeout rate dropped from 27.8% to 21.5%. Verlander did show improvement as the season progressed, with a 2.92 ERA and 23% strikeout rate in the second half.
France, who will turn 29 in April, pitched 136 1/3 innings last year with a 3.83 ERA, 17.4% strikeout rate, 8.1% walk rate, and 42.8% ground ball rate. While he is not as crucial to the team’s rotation as Verlander, he is not guaranteed a roster spot since he has options. Injuries are a part of the game, and every team needs to rely on their depth at some point during the season. France would have been a candidate to step up if Verlander needed to miss time, but his own availability may now be in question.
Brown has consistently expressed his desire to add pitching depth, and he reiterated that sentiment recently. He mentioned that he is always looking to acquire more starting pitchers, emphasizing that a 162-game season requires a deep pitching staff.
The Astros are facing a unique situation with their payroll this year. According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, their highest Opening Day payroll was $188 million in 2021. Roster Resource projects their payroll to be $240 million this year, with a competitive balance tax figure of $255 million. The team has never paid the tax before, as they only exceeded the threshold in 2020, when payments were waived due to the shortened season. This year’s tax threshold is set at $237 million, indicating that the team is already well over it.
If the Astros feel the need for reinforcements, there are still numerous free agents available. This includes notable names like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, as well as more affordable options like Michael Lorenzen and Hyun Jin Ryu. Given the team’s payroll and the relatively minor nature of the injuries, it seems unlikely that they will make a big splash in the free agent market. However, it will be worth monitoring the situation if another pitcher gets injured or if Verlander or France experience any setbacks. Despite Brown’s constant pursuit of starting pitching depth, the team has not signed any veterans to minor league deals, but they may consider adding non-roster players in the near future.
According to the Source mlbtraderumors.com