The Astros activated Verlander (neck) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Wednesday against the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander will rejoin the Houston rotation Wednesday after missing more than two months of action with a neck problem. The 41-year-old threw just 57 pitches in his second of two rehab starts, so he's not yet fully stretched out as he enters a matchup versus Boston. According to Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, manager Joe Espada said that he's expecting Verlander to toss around 75-to-80 pitches Wednesday, so the veteran right-hander could struggle to work deep enough into the start to qualify for a win. Verlander has collected a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB across 57 innings for the Astros this season.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Verlander (neck) is tentatively scheduled to return for Wednesday's game against Boston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander tossed 57 pitches over four innings in his last rehab outing Thursday, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out five. The 41-year-old right-hander has not pitched since June 9 due to a neck injury, but he appears to be near full health and is set to rejoin the Astros' rotation. Across 10 starts with Houston this season, Verlander is 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB across 57 frames.

Verlander (neck) threw 57 pitches and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out five over four innings during his rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander has now pitched seven innings across his last two rehab appearances, allowing two earned runs in the process. His pitch count increased slightly from 52 pitches from his first rehab outing on Aug. 10 to 57 in Thursday's game. The 41-year-old right-hander will be re-evaluated Friday, and if all checks out, he could make his return during Houston's series next week against Boston.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday on SportsTalk 790 that Verlander (neck) will make his second rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander fared well in his first rehab outing with Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, throwing 52 pitches and yielding one run with three strikeouts over three innings. He'll ramp up the pitch count Thursday in what should be his final rehab start before rejoining the Astros' rotation next week. Verlander has been shelved since mid-June with neck problems.

Verlander (neck) threw 52 pitches and allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three over three innings during his rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander will be re-evaluated Sunday but is soon expected to be cleared for a second rehab outing. If all goes well during his next rehab start, Verlander could be activated from the 15-day injured list and make his return to Houston's rotation as early as Aug. 20 versus the Red Sox.

Verlander (neck) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

After getting through Wednesday's bullpen session without any issues, Verlander has now been given the go-ahead to pitch in a game setting. He threw 37 pitches over two innings during a simulated game Sunday, though he has been able to surpass the 50-pitch mark during bullpen sessions. It's unclear how long the Astros plan on keeping the 41-year-old righty in the minors, but he figures to be in line for at least one more rehab outing after Saturday.

Verlander (neck) will likely begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land over the weekend, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander will first need to get through a bullpen session Wednesday, but he'll be cleared to head to the minors if everything goes smoothly. The veteran righty built up to 37 pitches during his simulated game Sunday and will likely require multiple Triple-A outings before returning to Houston's rotation.

Verlander (neck) threw 37 pitches in a two-inning simulated game Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander said that he felt good during the sim game and sported a fastball that peaked at 94 miles per hour. The right-hander expects to require two minor-league rehab starts before making his return from the 15-day injured list, so he probably won't be a realistic option for the Houston rotation until the second half of August. The Astros plan to expand their rotation to six men once Verlander comes off the IL, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (neck) will throw a bullpen session in the next few days before heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Espada said Verlander faced hitters for "between 27 and 30 pitches" Tuesday in Houston, with the right-hander's fastball velocity peaking around 94 miles per hour. Verlander looks poised to throw again Friday or Saturday, and if all goes well, he'll likely report to an affiliate shortly thereafter. The 41-year-old has been on the injured list since June 18 with neck stiffness, but he may need just one start in the minors before Houston is comfortable reinserting him into its rotation.

Verlander (neck) will throw from the main mound at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Joe Espada said that Verlander will face hitters to simulate game action, but the hitters have been instructed not to swing. It is not clear how many pitches Verlander will throw, though he threw over 50 in his last bullpen session Saturday.