HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have announced their Spring Training roster today, which includes a full 40-man roster and 19 non-roster invitees. Included on the 40-man roster is RHP Justin Verlander, who the club has officially signed to a one-year contract for the 2022 season. Verlander's deal also includes a player option for 2023. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The announcements were made by Astros General Manager James Click.
Among the Astros non-roster invitees are five pitchers, four catchers, five infielders and five outfielders. Using MLB.com's prospect rankings, the Astros top three prospects will be with the club as non-roster invitees in C Korey Lee, IF/OF Pedro Leon and RHP Hunter Brown. The full roster is attached to this release.
Verlander, 39, missed the entire 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and made one start for the Astros in the abbreviated 2020 campaign. In his last full season of 2019, the Future Hall of Famer went 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA (64ER/223IP) in 34 starts en route to his second career Cy Young Award. He led the AL that season in wins, starts, innings pitched and WHIP (0.80), all while reaching a career high with 300 strikeouts.
Verlander has posted a 43-15 record in his 74 starts since being acquired by the Astros on August 31, 2017 with a 2.45 ERA and an 0.83 WHIP. Among starting pitchers in that span, he ranks first in the AL in ERA, WHIP and opponent batting average (.183), and second in win percentage at .741 (min. 70 starts).
For his career, Verlander, who is an eight-time All-Star, leads all active pitchers in wins with a 226-129 record. He also ranks 19th all-time in career strikeouts (3013).
With the addition of Verlander, the Astros 40-man roster is full at 40.