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Justin Verlander out with forearm strain but disputes report that he's done for season

MLB, Houston Astros

Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander will miss time because of a strained right forearm, but he's disputing a report that he's finished for the season.

"The report that I'm currently missing the rest of the season is not accurate," he tweeted. "There is a forearm strain ... I'm hopeful that with some rest it will heal, and I'll be able to return soon. Thank you for all the well wishes."

The Houston Chronicle cited two sources with knowledge of the situation saying that Verlander would miss the rest of the season.

Before Verlander's tweet, Astros manager Dusty Baker also pumped the brakes on the report, saying that the right-hander will be "shut down for a couple weeks, then we'll reevaluate at that time. That's all I can tell you."

Baker said Verlander, 37, felt "tenderness" in his arm during his start Friday against the Seattle Mariners. According to the Chronicle, Verlander did not hint at being injured in postgame interviews. He did have an MRI on Saturday, though.

Last year's American League Cy Young Award winner won the team's opener Friday, going six innings and allowing two runs and three hits, with seven strikeouts and one walk.

"It happened [Friday] early in the game, but he said he felt fine," Baker said. "You see he was throwing the ball great ... so it was kind of a shock to all of us."

Baker said he didn't know who would start in place of Verlander on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"We're looking into that," he said. "We know we're a little short, especially on veteran arms. We're still trying to decide who can help us."

Verlander was dominant in winning his second Cy Young Award last season. He led the league with 21 wins against only six losses. He also made the most starts (34), pitched the most innings (223) and had the lowest WHIP (0.803).

When he doesn't start on Wednesday, it will be the first time Verlander has missed a start for the Astros since he was acquired from Detroit in August 2017.

Verlander isn't the first pitcher to go down in this abbreviated 60-game season. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw missed his first start because of a back injury. Washington Nationals righty Stephen Strasburg was scratched Saturday because of a nerve issue in his pitching hand. Texas Rangers starter Corey Kluber left Sunday's start after one inning because of shoulder tightness.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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