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As if the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not enough, the Houston Astros lost its no.1 pitcher, Justin Verlander, this early in the 2020 Major League Baseball (MLB) season that just kicked off last week.
In consolation, though, Verlander will not be missing the rest of the Astros games as he will only be out for a couple of weeks and then will be reevaluated if he would be ready to play again.
The injury was a surprise as not only did the two-time Cy Young awardee win the opening game for the Astros, 8-2, against the Seattle Mariners last Friday, July 24, 2020, he also did not say anything about being injured in the interviews after the game.
Dusty Baker, the Astros manager, said that Verlander's injury was also a shock to them as he has been throwing the ball great during Friday's game.
Baker, though, added that the 37-year-old Verlander did say that he had felt tenderness in his right arm early during the game, but he continued to play.
Later on Saturday, Justin Verlander had an MRI.
The Astros manager said that they still do not know who will start for the team on Wednesday, July 29, against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Should Verlander not be able to start on Wednesday, it will be the first time since the Astros acquired him in August of 2017 from Detroit, that he will miss starting for the Astros.
Although if COVID-19 had not delayed the start of the 2020 MLB season, the Astros ace would have been expected to start the season back in March on the injured list.
That was because he had undergone groin surgery and was feeling muscle soreness in the back of his shoulder, for which he had time to heal due to the delayed start of the season. Thus, he was able to take the mound in last Friday's opening game.
Baker said that they are a little short on veteran arms for the moment. The Astros may pick among Zack Greinke, Josh James, Lance McCullers, Jose Urquidy, and Framber Valdez to plug the hole that may be left by Justin Verlander's absence.
Image credit courtesy of GabboT/Flickr
