Justin Verlander Injury: Astros' Ace Leaves Start With Calf Injury

AL Cy Young frontrunner Justin Verlander left his start on Sunday after three innings with what the Astros called right calf discomfort.

Justin Verlander Injury Update

Verlander will undergo further tests, including an MRI, to determine the severity of the likely calf strain and whether he will go to the 15-day IL. 

According to Houston manager Dusty Baker, the 39-year-old righty suffered the calf injury when he pushed off his right foot while rushing across the diamond to cover first base at the end of the third inning.

Verlander has been kept to strict limits in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, only three times pitching into the eighth inning and often starting on 5-or-6 days rest instead of four.

Dusty Baker removed him from his previous start after six no-hit innings with 10 strikeouts on 91 pitches.

The three-time Cy Young winner leads the AL in wins (16), ERA (1.84), WHIP (0.86), and pitching WAR (4.5) across 152 innings.