Justin Verlander

The Houston Astros are placing right-hander Cristian Javier on the injured list with a neck injury, manager Joe Espada announced Sunday, per Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle.Right-hander Spencer Arrighetti will be recalled from Triple-A to take Javier's place on the roster.Javier was scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday against the Washington Nationals with neck discomfort. Right-hander Hunter Brown will get the ball in his place.The Astros are battered by injuries in the rotation. Luis Garcia, Lance McCullers Jr., and Jos Urquidy all started the season on the IL, while left-hander Framber Valdez has been sidelined since early April with elbow inflammation. Justin Verlander just returned to action on Friday after missing the start of the season with a shoulder issue.Astros starting pitchers are 25th in ERA and strikeouts through the first 22 games of the season.Javier posted a 2-0 record with a 1.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across four starts this season.Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Verlander (1-0) picked up the win in Friday's 4-2 victory over the Nationals, allowing two runs on four hits over six innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

Houston Astros veteran pitcher Justin Verlander went six innings and allowed two runs in his season debut Friday night against the Washington Nationals.

The future Hall of Famer provides an immediate boost to Houston's rotation

Houston Astros veteran pitcher Justin Verlander went six innings and allowed two runs in his season debut Friday night against the Washington Nationals.