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ODU product, Astros ace Justin Verlander will undergo Tommy John surgery

Justin Verlander
Posted at 1:54 PM, Sep 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-19 13:59:26-04

On Saturday afternoon, Astros ace Justin Verlander announced that he will be undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Verlander made the announcement in an Instagram video. During a recent simulated game, his injury worsened and he consulted several doctors before concluding that Tommy John is necessary.

"Obviously I’m extremely disappointed, but I will not let this slow down my aspirations for my career," Verlander said on Instagram. "I will approach this rehab the only way I know, attack and don’t look back.

"I’m confident that with a proper rehabilitation program and my unwavering commitment that this surgery will ultimately lengthen my career as opposed to shorten it."

Verlander's 2020 season has been riddled with injury. He was sidelined with a back injury early on in Spring Training, then required surgery on his right groin just a week later. In July, it was announced that he would be out for at least two weeks with a forearm strain.

The 2019 Cy Young winner only started one game this season, allowing two runs on three hits, and striking out seven in six innings pitched.

At ODU, Verlander pitched in 46 games for the Monarchs from 2002 to 2004, starting all 46. He won 21 career games and is the all-time strikeout king in ODU, the Colonial Athletic Association and the Commonwealth of Virginia history with 427 in only 335.2 innings of work for an average of 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings.