Astros' Justin Verlander scratched vs. Tigers with neck issue

Astros' Justin Verlander scratched vs. Tigers with neck issue

ByABC News

June 15, 2024, 1:49 PM

The Houston Astros scratched right-hander Justin Verlander from Saturday's start against the Detroit Tigers because neck discomfort.

Verlander told reporters prior to Saturday's game that his neck issue first popped up a couple weeks ago between starts and that he wasn't sure if it would keep him out for more than one game.

"When I was out there, I felt like it wasn't really bothering me," Verlander said. "But when I go home and sit down and really think about it, I think it's too much of a coincidence and my mechanics were really thrown off."

Rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (3-5, 5.33 ERA), who was scheduled to pitch the series finale Sunday, will start in place of Verlander (3-2, 3.95).

Verlander, 41, allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings in each of his past two starts. The former American League MVP, nine-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner missed the first three weeks of the season while recovering from an offseason shoulder injury.

Arrighetti, 24, has yet to face the Tigers in his career. He allowed one run on four hits in 5⅔ innings in a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants on Monday.

Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.