Astros place Justin Verlander on IL with right calf issue

Aug 28, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) walks to the dugout after retiring the side against the Baltimore Orioles during the third inning at Minute Maid Park. Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Astros place AL Cy Young contender Justin Verlander on IL with right calf issue

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 8/30/22

While the expanded MLB playoff field will bring an extra amount of championship contenders to the mix this fall, the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers may be on a collision course to a rematch of the 2017 World Series in this year's Fall Classic. The Dodgers enter Tuesday with the best record in baseball at 89-38, while the Astros come into play atop the American League at 82-47 -- four games ahead of the second-place New York Yankees.

Fans in Hollywood got a dose of bad news on Monday though, when NL Cy Young candidate Tony Gonsolin was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain. Houston has a problem at the front of their starting rotation with an injured Cy Young candidate as well, in Justin Verlander.

The Astros have made the following roster moves:

- Justin Verlander has been placed on the 15-day IL
- Jake Meyers has been optioned to AAA
+ Brandon Bielak has been recalled from AAA
+ J.J. Matijevic has been recalled from AAA
+ Hunter Brown has been added to the Taxi Squad
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 30, 2022

Astros general manager James Click discussed the injury soon after the news came out.

According to the Astros, Justin Verlander's MRI showed "fascial disruption, but no muscle fiber disruption." James Click will address reporters in 15 minutes and presumably offer a timeline.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 30, 2022

James Click: "This was relatively good news, is my understanding.”
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 30, 2022

James Click on Justin Verlander: "Our hope and expectation is that this should be relatively short-term."
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 30, 2022

Verlander suffered the injury while covering first base during Sunday's start against the Baltimore Orioles. The two-time AL Cy Young award winner and former AL MVP leads the junior circuit in wins (16) -- against just three losses -- while pacing the league in ERA (career-low 1.84) and WHIP (0.85) as well.

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