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Justin Verlander 2022 Player Outlook: Good Shot To Return To Pre-Injury Form
3 years agoHouston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander missed last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2020. The 39-year-old is expected to be ready by Opening Day, whenever that might be. He was terrific in his entire last season as a starter, owning a 2.58 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 300:42 K: BB over 223 innings during 2019. Verlander will be limited at first as he's thrown just six innings since July 2020. The Astros are confident that Verlander will return to form and signed the veteran to a one-year, $25 million contract during the offseason. Cutter projections are on board with Verlander to come back in 2022, projecting a 12-7 record, 15 quality starts, 3.73 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 193 strikeouts over 165 innings. According to Rotoballer's Expected Draft Values, Cutter's projections have Verlander roughly fair value at his 111 ADP. Verlander reportedly looked impressive before the MLB lockout and is expected to enter Spring Training whenever it starts with no restrictions.
