Astros’ Justin Verlander: I’m back ‘kind of fast’ from neck injury amid struggles | News, scores, highlights, stats & rumors

After a slow start that saw his ERA rise to 5.55, Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander admitted he likely made his comeback too quickly after a neck injury that sidelined him for two months earlier this season.

Verlander told reporters after Friday’s 9-7 win over the Los Angeles Angels that he recovered from his injury “kind of quickly” because he wanted to prove his worth to an Astros team that is close to a playoff spot again.

“I think I’ve recovered quickly from the neck injury,” he said. “Obviously I know the schedule, I know the calendar and I want to be an asset to this team and to do that I have to be able to pitch and figure out where I’m at. Obviously the results aren’t good, but there’s nothing you can do except try to pitch.”

The Astros placed Verlander on the 15-day injured list on June 18 with neck problems. Manager Joe Espada said at the time that the three-time Cy Young winner tried to pitch through it, but the problem didn’t improve.

Verlander had a 3.95 ERA through 57 innings in 10 starts when he went on the IL. He has made six starts since being activated from the IL. His ERA during that span is 8.89 with 39 hits allowed, 18 strikeouts and 10 walks in 27.1 innings.

On Friday night, Verlander gave up six runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings against the Los Angeles Angels. The Astros were able to secure a 9-7 victory thanks to a bullpen that allowed just one run in 4.1 innings of work.

Houston’s magic number for winning the AL West has dropped to four, but Verlander’s struggles raise plenty of questions about whether or not he should start a playoff game if the team advances.

Framber Valdez, Ronel Blanco, Hunter Brown and Yusei Kikuchi appear certain to fill out the Astros’ playoff rotation at this point. Verlander and Spencer Arrighetti (4.68 ERA in 20 starts) are likely to battle for the final spot, assuming Espada decides to use a five-man rotation in October.

Verlander’s 5.55 ERA is more than two runs higher than his career high (3.30). This is the first season he has finished with an ERA above 4.00 since 2014 (4.54).