The Justin Verlander Back and Forth Continues

UPDATE: 2:00pm 7/27/20 — Verlander was placed on the 10-Day IL

Astros place RHP Justin Verlander on the 10-day IL with a right forearm strain (retro to July 25). Also the club optioned IF Taylor Jones, recalled RHP Nivaldo Rodriguez and selected RHP Brandon Bielak to the Major League roster.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 27, 2020

Karmic justice after participating in a World Series cheating scandal?
Dusty Baker ruining pitchers already?
Is there a Kate Upton curse?
Just bad luck?
Overuse?

The Justin Verlander injury situation has produced some great theories. While most are funny an injury to a player never really is. Let alone a player of his caliber.

The original report from Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle said that Astros defending Cy Young winner was done for the year. Rome would later grab comment from Astros manager Dusty Baker that would refute the report:

Astros manager Dusty Baker says that Justin Verlander is shut down “for a couple of weeks” with a forearm strain.

“He’s shut down for a couple weeks and we’ll reevaluate after that time.”

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 26, 2020

While the report ended up falling through, forearm tightness usually points to “Tommy John” surgery in the future. Chicago Cubs starter Yu Darvish and Mariners hurler Taijuan Walker — and countless others — have echoed the same complaints ahead of their eventual surgeries. 

Dusty Baker did clarify that Verlander has already taken precaution since his start last Friday:

Justin Verlander had an MRI yesterday, Dusty Baker said. He told the team his arm was “tender” during Friday’s start.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 26, 2020

The Houston Astros came into the short season with a target on their back after cheating scandals dated back to the 2017 postseason. The team was going to need all hands on deck to make up for the loss of their former ace Gerrit Cole, so Verlander’s absence will do nothing to help the cause. 

Verlander hasn’t been able to escape the cloud of hate of opposing fan bases (rightfully so), but his injury was never warranted. All contenders looking to capture the American League crown should want the Houston Astros at their best. For that, baseball should be rooting for a sudden recovery for Justin Verlander these next few weeks.