2 min read • April 10, 2022
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Future Hall-of-Famer Justin Verlander made his much-anticipated return from Tommy John surgery Saturday night in an Astros' 2-0 loss to the Angels.
Verlander, who won the 2019 Cy Young behind a 300-strikout and .803 WHIP campiagn, allowed 1 run and 3 hits with 7 strikeouts across 5 innings in his first start since July 24, 2020.
Verlander's lone run allowed a was a home run by first baseman Jared Walsh in the 2nd inning. He held Shoheit Ohtani and Mike Trout to 0-6, strikeout out the 2021 AL MVP 3 times and allowing 2 groundouts and 1 flyout to Trout.
The 39-year-old started against another Tommy John recipient, Noah Syndergaard, who notched 1 strikeout with 2 hits and 2 walks in 5.1 innings in his 3rd start since undergoing surgery in March 2020.
Verlander, by far the eldest among the recent Tommy John veterans, signed a $25 million contract to stay with the Astros, who lost the 2021 World Series to the Braves in 6 games without the 2011 AL MVP.
Houston, 2-1, will rely on Verlander this season, especially as it relies on the return of Lance McCullers Jr., whose recovery from an October forearm injury has been slowed by the irregular spring.
Verlander is expected to start again next Saturday, April 16, against the Mariners in Seattle.
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