Justin Verlander Scratched From Astros' Spring Training Debut With Groin Issue
By Adam Weinrib
This is likely not as long-term an issue as the one the Astros' AL rival Yankees are currently experiencing, but add Houston to the list of contenders with early pitching problems.
Rejuvenated ace Justin Verlander, winner of the 2019 AL Cy Young Award, has been scratched from his first spring appearance, currently dealing with a groin issue.
Justin Verlander (groin) scratched Thursday https://t.co/zYfdLEBOR8
— Rotoworld Baseball (@Rotoworld_BB) February 26, 2020
Verlander's first 2020 appearance will be yet another delayed debut from the Astros' side, though not at all for the same reason as the members of his offense, who universally sat out their opener this past weekend.
The freshly-37-year-old JV put up absurd numbers once again in 2019, despite an overload of long balls. He went 21-6, whiffing an even 300 in a powerful 223 innings pitched. Verlander has found the fountain of youth in recent years, rebounding from health concerns in Detroit to post a string of remarkably durable campaigns for the best team in the AL.
Dusty Baker said Justin Verlander isn’t pitching in the Grapefruit League game tomorrow because he had groin discomfort when he threw a bullpen the other day. He will pitch a simulated game instead, and Baker doesn’t think it’s serious.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 26, 2020
This seems to be a bump in the road, but let's hope it doesn't portend a turn for the worse.