Justin Verlander Left Off Astros' MLB Playoff Roster for Wild Card Series vs. Tigers

Following a tumultuous 2024 campaign that was beset by injuries and will go down as one of the worst statistical seasons of his legendary career, Houston Astros veteran starting pitcher Justin Verlander will begin the postseason watching from the bench.

Per Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Verlander did not make the Astros' roster for the AL Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers.

Per MLB.com, Houston's roster includes 11 pitchers and 15 position players, with Verlander listed on the taxi squad.

"Verlander is a professional," general manager Dana Brown said. "He's been in the game a long time. And, you know, ultimately, he wants to do what's best for the club. And so I thought that from talking to Joe [Espada], the conversation went very well."

Verlander was placed on the injured list to start the 2024 season due to shoulder inflammation. After returning to action in April, he was placed back on the injured list two months later with a neck issue before coming back in August. In all, he made 17 starts and went 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA, a 1.38 WHIP and 74 strikeouts in 90.1 innings pitched.

The 41-year-old recently admitted that he should've taken more time to recover over the summer.

"I think I came back from the neck injury a little fast," he said, per ESPN. "Obviously I know the schedule, I know the calendar, and I want to be an asset for this team and to do that I need to be able to pitch and find out where I'm at. Obviously, the results have not been good, but there's nothing you can do besides trying to pitch."

The Astros are sending left-hander Framber Valdez to the mound in Tuesday's Game 1 against the Tigers as they begin their eighth straight playoff run. This is the first time Houston is playing in the wild-card round since 2020.