Astros' three-time Cy Young winner shares injury update after rehab start

The surging Astros could soon receive a major boost.

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander has a second rehab start scheduled for Triple-A Sugar Land this week, and it's possible he will rejoin the Astros afterward.

Per Spectrum News, Verlander allowed one run in three innings of his first rehab start on Saturday. He threw 52 pitches (36 strikes). 

Following the game, the two-time World Series champion told reporters, "Physically, felt good."

"Was able to step on a few fastballs there at the end," Verlander added, before noting he "checked all the boxes I needed to." (h/t Houston Chronicle)

Verlander (neck stiffness) hasn't made an MLB start since June 9.  In 10 starts this season, he has gone 3-2 with a 3.95 earned run average (ERA).

At the time of Verlander's injury, the Astros were mired in a rough start to the season. Houston was 30-36 on June 9, which ranked as the league's eighth-worst record, per FanGraphs.

The team has fared much better in the two months since. Instead of needing Verlander to save Houston's season, he's set to join a team in the thick of the AL West race.

The Astros have the major's third-most wins (32) over the past two months and are tied with the Mariners (63-56) for first in their division.

According to FanGraphs data, Houston has the fourth-best team ERA (3.55) since June 9. Its starters have posted a 3.53 ERA, which only trails the Mariners (2.96) for the league's lowest mark during that span.

Per ESPN Bet, the Astros (-170) are the favorites to win the AL West.