Verlander (neck) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It will be Verlander's third time on a mound as he recovers from a neck issue, with his first coming just before the All-Star break. The 41-year-old was stretched out to 40 pitches in his last bullpen and could be one or two more sessions away from the next stage in his recovery, whether that's a rehab assignment or an immediate return to the Houston rotation.

Verlander threw 40 pitches during a bullpen session Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander is recovering from a neck injury that has sidelined him since June 18, but he's thrown a pair of bullpen sessions in the last week and was stretched out to 40 pitches Saturday. At this point, it's unclear if the 41-year-old will require a minor-league rehab stint, and he shouldn't be expected back until the end of July or early August.

Verlander (neck) threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander used his entire arsenal in the session and finished the bullpen without incident, per McTaggart. He had originally been expected to toss 10-to-15 pitches, so all signs are that he's trending in a positive direction. A timeframe for Verlander's return isn't yet clear, but it is possible that he could rejoin Houston's rotation before the end of July.

Verlander (neck) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sunday will mark the first time Verlander has thrown off a mound since a neck injury forced him to the IL on June 18. He's only expected to reach 10-to-15 pitches during his session, but it's still a sign that the veteran right-hander is trending in the right direction. He remains without a firm timetable for his return, though he will likely need some time to build back up to a starter's workload.

Verlander (neck) said Tuesday that he's increased the frequency of his flat-ground throwing, but there remains no timetable for when he will throw off a mound, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Verlander is feeling better, the progress from his neck injury continues to be slow. He has already been ruled out through the All-Star break, and it would seem at this point that he's unlikely to be ready at the start of the second half.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Verlander (neck) will not return prior to the All-Star break, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander has resumed playing catch and appears to be making some progress as he works his way back from neck soreness. However, it's been about three weeks since he's thrown off a mound, and he'll surely need at least one rehab start before returning. The 41-year-old should be back before the end of July if he can avoid setbacks.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Verlander (neck) resumed playing catch from 60 feet Sunday and "felt good," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 41-year-old's return to throwing is an encouraging development after he was shut down for a bit while recovering from neck soreness. Given the shutdown period, Verlander shouldn't be expected to return from the injured list when first eligible this week.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (neck) hasn't resumed playing catch and won't accompany the team to New York for this weekend's three-game series versus the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander isn't eligible to return from the 15-day injured list until Monday, but with the Astros continuing their trip in Toronto and then Minnesota next week, the right-hander's absence for the start of the road swing wouldn't seem to inspire much optimism about his chances of being ready to make a start against the Blue Jays, and perhaps even the Twins. The Astros will likely wait and see if Verlander is able to take any meaningful steps forward in his recovery from the neck issue over the next few days while he's back in Houston before determining his status for the Toronto series.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Verlander (neck) has yet to resume throwing, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander has been shut down for more than a week with neck discomfort and continues to progress more slowly than expected. The veteran right-hander is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list Monday, but it's too early at this point to know whether he will be ready to go on that day. Houston currently has just four members in its rotation, but it will need to add a fifth if Verlander's injury continues to linger.

The Astros placed Verlander on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Sunday, due to neck discomfort.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Joe Espada said earlier Tuesday that the veteran right-hander was progressing slower than expected from the neck discomfort that scratched him from Saturday's scheduled start, and he'll be sidelined for at least a couple turns through the rotation. Verlander is without an official timeline for return, but he'll be eligible to be activated from the injured list at the start of July.