
HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander will undergo Tommy John surgery and is expected to be out through the 2021 season. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner announced the news on his Instagram account in a 1½-minute video. Verlander threw to hitters this week for the first time since he was injured in the team’s opener on July 24. The 37-year-old Verlander is under contract to Houston through next year. The Astros began the day in the eighth and final spot for the AL playoff field, three games ahead of Seattle.