“It’s good to get him back in the rotation” - Joe Espada eagerly awaits Justin Verlander’s return to power the Astros’ pitching squad

Houston Astros have had a tough start to the MLB season and manager Joe Espada is delighted to have veteran ace Justin Verlander ready for action against the Washington Nationals on Friday. The 41-year-old pitcher has missed the start of the season due to a shoulder issue but has rejoined training and reportedly thrown a few pitches in the minors. Verlander is among five other pitchers from the Astros starting rotation who are in the injured list, so it is no surprise that Espada is eager to welcome the veteran back, saying:

“It’s good to get him back in the rotation. Just to get him back on track and get some innings from him.”

Justin Verlander was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 2004 MLB Draft and went on to make his major league debut with them in them in 2005. In his first full season in the MLB the next year, he won the Rookie of the Year award. Since then, he has established himself as one of the best pitchers in the league over the last decades, winning virtually every individual award. Over the years, he has won the AL MVP, ALCS MVP, and three Cy Young awards.

After the big-money move to the New York Mets last year, he spent a short but unsuccessful spell with them before being traded back to the Astros for the second half of the season. While the Astros ended last year with a loss in the ALCS, they have had a tough start to the new season.

With several key players (especially pitchers) in the injured list, they have made a poor 6-14 start to the season. While Verlander was unavailable due to an inflammation on his right shoulder, his rehab has progressed well and he is set to start the first game of the series against the Nationals on Friday.

Good news for Astros as Framber Valdez reportedly on his way out of the IL after Justin Verlander

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada is certainly eager to have Justin Verlander back in the starting rotation, which will give them a huge boost on and off the field. However, there is some more good news for him.

Having been placed in the IL earlier this month due to soreness on his elbow, Framber Valdez is reportedly looking to make a return to action soon. According to latest reports, he could be back in the bullpen over the Astros' eight-game trip away from home.