Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Astros star pitcher Justin Verlander close to returning from calf strain?

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 9/13/22

The Houston Astros are cruising toward yet another AL West division title and six games ahead of the New York Yankees for the AL's best record. Now, according to a report by MLB Network's Jon Morosi, ace Justin Verlander is on the verge of returning to the starting rotation after suffering a right calf strain in August.

.@jonmorosi with the latest on Justin Verlander's imminent return, the Giants locking up Wilmer Flores for 2 more years, Corey Dickerson's surge in St. Louis and more.#MLBCentral | @RoFlo pic.twitter.com/f5sxQ2FDbV
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 13, 2022

Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 30 after going down with the issue while covering first base during a start against the Baltimore Orioles. The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner leads the AL in wins (16) — against just three losses — while pacing the league in ERA (career-low 1.84) and WHIP (0.86) as well.

During Verlander's absence, the rest of the Astros have continued to step up, particularly first-time All-Star Framber Valdez. The 28-year-old currently paces the Junior Circuit in innings pitched (179 2/3), home runs allowed per nine innings (0.5) and complete games (three).

Nobody else in the AL has more than one complete game, and Valdez hurled his first shutout of the campaign on Monday. He has also recorded 25 consecutive quality starts, tying Jacob deGrom's record from 2018.

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