AL West: Rescue or respite?

Houston Astros

Just now coming off of a balky shoulder that shelved him for the entirety of spring training, Justin Verlander's first minor league rehab start at AAA-Sugar Land yielded both good results (6/1 K/BB over his three innings) and bad (6 earned runs on 7 hits), none of which is atypical for a pitcher attempting to re-establish some command. All reports have Verlander making just one more minor league start before joining the Astros for his MLB debut as early as April 17 vs. ATL.

Verlander's pending return along with Ronel Blanco's stunning small-sample bottom line – no runs allowed over two starts and 15 IP of work, including that no-hitter – is balm for a rotation beset by injuries and early season depth issues. Framber...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From PT Tomorrow

While the NL West has plenty of star power that usually claims fans' attention, there are still interesting position battles to be won in the spring. Here some to be watching for.
Feb 21 2026 3:03am
McLain struggled to regain his 2023 form coming back from injury in 2025. Can he find that level again in 2026?
Feb 20 2026 3:30am
Can Jac Caglianone or Isaac Collins give the Royals a productive OF? Plus, looks at the CHW rotation, rookie hitters in Cleveland, the potential impact of Kevin McGonigle in DET, and the Twins bullpen.
Feb 19 2026 3:08am
As we enter spring training, what are some of the major questions for the AL West?
Feb 18 2026 3:08am
Chandler Simpson headlines a crowded outfield competition in Tampa Bay. Plus, an abundance of options are fighting to round out Boston's rotation, and more.
Feb 17 2026 3:05am

Tools