"Who is going to start for us" - Astros fans stressed out after hearing Justin Verlander has been placed on the IL with neck discomfort

Justin Verlander was supposed to get the start for the Houston Astros on Saturday but was scratched due to discomfort in his neck. It has been something that has reportedly been bugging him for weeks but has become too much to handle.

Now, the veteran righty has been placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to Saturday, per The Athletic's Chandler Rome. In a corresponding move, the team recalled Nick Hernandez from Triple-A.

While the team was hopeful that the injury would clear itself in the next few days, it has not. Now, the Astros will be without their ace once again for some time this season.

Pitcher injuries have been a common theme for Houston this season. Since the start of the year, the Astros have had to play musical chairs with their starting rotation and bullpen.

Fans on social media reacted to Verlander being put on the IL.

"WHO IS GOING TO START FOR US," one fan posted.

"The neck discomfort to TJ pipeline is real," another posted.

"Dang it!" posted another fan.

Since the season started, Houston has lost both Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy for the year due to Tommy John surgery. And that was after the front office knew Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. would be out for much of the 2024 season.

"I can't take this anymore man. Just injury after injury after injury," another fan said.

"I personally think the Astros should shut him down for the season," another said.

"They’re just making up guys now. Create-A-Players filling out the rotation," said another.

It has not been an easy season for Houston fans, but the club is still in contention. The Astros sit in second place in the American League West, nine games behind the division-leading Seattle Mariners.

A Justin Verlander injury leaves the Astros scrambling

Houston Astros - Justin Verlander (Image via USA Today)

With Justin Verlander moving to the IL, Houston does not have many exciting options to join the rotation. The team is starting to run out of arms that it can call up.

J.P. France has been out since April with a shoulder injury. Eric Lauer and Blair Henley are also options the team could look at, but both have been uninspiring in the minor leagues.

Hopefully, Verlander can get healthy and come off the IL after 15 days. Houston desperately needs its ace back at the top of the rotation.