Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander. Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Astros ace Justin Verlander leaves after three innings due to calf discomfort

By Adam Stites | Last updated 8/28/22

Houston Astros ace and AL Cy Young favorite Justin Verlander left the game early against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday after only three innings and 60 pitches due to what the team called calf discomfort.

Verlander, 39, held the Orioles scoreless during his time on the mound, exiting with three hits allowed and six strikeouts. There wasn't much indication that Verlander was struggling with an injury before he was replaced in the fourth inning by Seth Martinez.

Justin Verlander, Nasty Curveball and Slider (6th K) pic.twitter.com/OnrhQPr8mq
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 28, 2022

Verlander is a two-time Cy Young winner and entered Sunday with an MLB-leading 16 wins and 1.87 ERA. While he wasn't in line for the win after exiting while the game was still in a scoreless tie, Verlander dropped his ERA to 1.84 with three more scoreless innings.

With just over a month left in the regular season, Verlander is a massive favorite for the Cy Young with Dylan Cease and Shane McClanahan battling for a distant second place, according to oddsmakers.

The Astros are owners of the best record in the American League and entered Sunday with an 11.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West.

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