For pitchers, Tommy John surgery usually means 12 to 14 months of downtime, but it appears that Houston Astros’ ace Justin Verlander believes he can beat that timeline.

Verlander underwent the procedure in September, which puts him on pace to miss the entire 2021 MLB season. However, according to Houston’s general manager James Click, the 37-year-old All-Star still “has every intention of trying to come back next year.”

“I think that would be an aggressive timetable, but we’re not taking anything off the table when it comes to a guy like that,” said Click in a chat with reporters on Thursday.

Verlander had a season to forget in 2020, as he managed to play six innings on Opening Day before being removed from the contest due to a strained forearm. He initially intended to return towards the end of the season, but further tests showed that he needs surgery in order to remove the discomfort in his pitching arm.

After several disappointing seasons, Justin Verlander managed to resurrect his career since joining the Astros in 2017. Verlander helped the franchise to a World Series win in his first year in Houston and went on to make consecutive All-Star appearances in 2018 and 2019. He also won his second AL Cy Young Award in 2019.

Verlander is set to become a free agent after the 2021 MLB season. He signed a two-year, $66 million extension with the Astros back in early 2019.

The post Justin Verlander Hopes to Play in 2021 despite Tommy John Surgery appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Detroit Tigers will most likely have a manager with a World Series resume next MLB season. Even if that resume is blemished.

According to ESPN’s Buster Onley, the Tigers are expected to hire former Houston Astros’ manager AJ Hinch. The two sides are reportedly progressing well towards an agreement, although the final deal hasn’t been finalized yet.

This will be a return to MLB for Hinch after a one-year absence. He spent 2020 serving a suspension for his role in a sign-stealing scandal during Astros’ World Series-winning season in 2017.

Hinch was found guilty, alongside several other members of coaching staff and organization, for using technological aids to steal signs of opposing teams.

Tigers found themselves needing a manager after Ron Gardenhire surprisingly decided to retire towards the end of the 2020 MLB season. AJ Hinch was considered the favorite for the job despite the controversy surrounding him, while the organization reportedly gave ex-Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora a look as well. Cora was also suspended for his role in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, having served on the team’s coaching staff during that period.

Hinch, who has a winning record (570-452) as a manager, will be tasked with turning around an organization that hasn’t made the playoffs in the past six years. Tigers finished 2020 last in AL Central for the second consecutive time, posting a 23-35 record in a shortened MLB season.

The post Detroit Tigers Expected to Hire AJ Hinch as their Next Manager appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Justin Verlander may have had his last appearance with the Houston Astros in their win against the Seattle Mariners in the season opener. The pitcher announced that he’s set to undergo Tommy John surgery to repair the damage in his elbow.

Verlander will be out for the remainder of the 2020 season and he only has two-years left on his deal with the Astros, making him a free-agent in 2022. Recovery from the surgery varies, but it usually takes 12 to 15 months to return, which could mean that the 37-year-old pitcher would miss the 2021 season as well.

Before attempting a comeback last week, Verlander hadn’t seen the field since July due to a forearm strain and in his most recent game, he felt “stiffness” in his elbow. He was advised by a doctor to have the procedure.

“I truly believe everything happens for a reason,” said Verlander in a video posted on social media. “And although 2020 has sucked, hopefully when this rehab process is all said and done, this will allow me to charge through the end of my career and be healthy as long as I want and pitch as long as I want and accomplish some of the goals that I want in my career.”

Since joining the Astros in 2017, Verlander has played some of the best baseball of his career. He’s earned two All-Star appearances and he won the Cy Young award in 2019. His record since arriving in Houston is 43-15 record with 2.45 ERA and 640 strikeouts.

The post Houston Astros News: Justin Verlander to Undergo Tommy John Surgery appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

For pitchers, Tommy John surgery usually means 12 to 14 months of downtime, but it appears that Houston Astros’ ace Justin Verlander believes he can beat that timeline.

Verlander underwent the procedure in September, which puts him on pace to miss the entire 2021 MLB season. However, according to Houston’s general manager James Click, the 37-year-old All-Star still “has every intention of trying to come back next year.”

“I think that would be an aggressive timetable, but we’re not taking anything off the table when it comes to a guy like that,” said Click in a chat with reporters on Thursday.

Verlander had a season to forget in 2020, as he managed to play six innings on Opening Day before being removed from the contest due to a strained forearm. He initially intended to return towards the end of the season, but further tests showed that he needs surgery in order to remove the discomfort in his pitching arm.

After several disappointing seasons, Justin Verlander managed to resurrect his career since joining the Astros in 2017. Verlander helped the franchise to a World Series win in his first year in Houston and went on to make consecutive All-Star appearances in 2018 and 2019. He also won his second AL Cy Young Award in 2019.

Verlander is set to become a free agent after the 2021 MLB season. He signed a two-year, $66 million extension with the Astros back in early 2019.

The post Justin Verlander Hopes to Play in 2021 despite Tommy John Surgery appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Detroit Tigers will most likely have a manager with a World Series resume next MLB season. Even if that resume is blemished.

According to ESPN’s Buster Onley, the Tigers are expected to hire former Houston Astros’ manager AJ Hinch. The two sides are reportedly progressing well towards an agreement, although the final deal hasn’t been finalized yet.

This will be a return to MLB for Hinch after a one-year absence. He spent 2020 serving a suspension for his role in a sign-stealing scandal during Astros’ World Series-winning season in 2017.

Hinch was found guilty, alongside several other members of coaching staff and organization, for using technological aids to steal signs of opposing teams.

Tigers found themselves needing a manager after Ron Gardenhire surprisingly decided to retire towards the end of the 2020 MLB season. AJ Hinch was considered the favorite for the job despite the controversy surrounding him, while the organization reportedly gave ex-Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora a look as well. Cora was also suspended for his role in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, having served on the team’s coaching staff during that period.

Hinch, who has a winning record (570-452) as a manager, will be tasked with turning around an organization that hasn’t made the playoffs in the past six years. Tigers finished 2020 last in AL Central for the second consecutive time, posting a 23-35 record in a shortened MLB season.

The post Detroit Tigers Expected to Hire AJ Hinch as their Next Manager appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Justin Verlander may have had his last appearance with the Houston Astros in their win against the Seattle Mariners in the season opener. The pitcher announced that he’s set to undergo Tommy John surgery to repair the damage in his elbow.

Verlander will be out for the remainder of the 2020 season and he only has two-years left on his deal with the Astros, making him a free-agent in 2022. Recovery from the surgery varies, but it usually takes 12 to 15 months to return, which could mean that the 37-year-old pitcher would miss the 2021 season as well.

Before attempting a comeback last week, Verlander hadn’t seen the field since July due to a forearm strain and in his most recent game, he felt “stiffness” in his elbow. He was advised by a doctor to have the procedure.

“I truly believe everything happens for a reason,” said Verlander in a video posted on social media. “And although 2020 has sucked, hopefully when this rehab process is all said and done, this will allow me to charge through the end of my career and be healthy as long as I want and pitch as long as I want and accomplish some of the goals that I want in my career.”

Since joining the Astros in 2017, Verlander has played some of the best baseball of his career. He’s earned two All-Star appearances and he won the Cy Young award in 2019. His record since arriving in Houston is 43-15 record with 2.45 ERA and 640 strikeouts.

The post Houston Astros News: Justin Verlander to Undergo Tommy John Surgery appeared first on toppoptoday.com.