Astros Joe Espada Says Verlander Progressing 'Slower Than What We Expected'

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show following an off-day that "couldn't have come at a better time," Espada said. The Astros are in Chicago on Tuesday to begin a three-game road series against the White Sox.

Justin Verlander was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday due to neck discomfort. The Astros hoped Verlander would return to the mound Thursday for the final game of the series against the White Sox, but Espada is not optimistic as Verlander is progressing "slower than what we expected." The Astros will "see how [Verlander] feels today and then we'll go from there," and a stint on the injured list is "something we'll definitely consider," Espada said.

As the Astros continue to struggle with injuries to the starting pitching staff, Espada says MLB should "figure out what's really causing these injuries" across the league. This is "something we should all look at as an industry."

With Verlander''s recovery timeline uncertain, the Astros are hopeful Luis Garcia and and Lance McCullers Jr. will return to the mound this season. Garcia is "throwing live BPs," and McCullers "is here with us in Chicago," but "Luis is ahead of Lance right now."

Jose Abreu was released from the Astros roster Friday, and Jon Singleton and Mauricio Dubón have been "getting a lot of those looks" at first base. "We are looking for production."

Espada also talks about Jeremy Peña having "to grind through" the "ups and downs of the season," and Kyle Tucker recovering from a shin injury.