Verlander on Houston and who could be in the Astros bullpen

As the Houston Astros continue to evolve and aim for another World Series title, the contributions of key players like Justin Verlander have played a crucial role in the team’s success. Verlander, one of the most accomplished pitchers in MLB history, has been an integral part of the Astros’ pitching staff, both as a leader and as a dominant force on the mound. His impact on Houston is undeniable, and his insights into the team’s future—and specifically the outlook for the Astros’ bullpen—are highly valued.

After a long and successful tenure with the Astros, Verlander made a return to the team after a brief stint with the New York Mets. His return brings much-needed stability to Houston’s rotation, but it also provides a unique perspective on how the Astros’ pitching staff, including their bullpen, could shape up heading into the 2025 season. In this article, we’ll explore Verlander’s time with Houston, the importance of his leadership, and a look ahead at the Astros’ bullpen as they aim to contend for another championship.

Verlander’s Legacy with the Houston Astros

Justin Verlander’s connection with the Houston Astros is one of the most memorable pitcher-team relationships in recent history. Verlander was traded to the Astros from the Detroit Tigers in 2017, just before the trade deadline. What followed was nothing short of spectacular. Verlander was instrumental in the Astros’ postseason success, leading the team to its first World Series title in 2017. His Game 2 win in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers remains one of the iconic performances in Astros’ history, and his leadership in the clubhouse helped solidify Houston’s status as an elite team.

Throughout his time with Houston, Verlander was a stabilizing force in the rotation, consistently posting excellent numbers. His velocity, control, and competitiveness were key to his success, but it was his leadership—particularly in big moments—that stood out. Verlander’s calm under pressure, paired with his extensive postseason experience, made him an invaluable asset to a franchise that was rapidly becoming one of baseball’s most consistent contenders.

Even after his departure to the Mets in 2023, Verlander’s impact on the Astros was still evident. The team’s pitching staff continued to thrive, but his absence left a void both on the mound and in the clubhouse. Now, with his return to Houston in 2025, Verlander is primed to continue being the pillar that the Astros need as they prepare for another championship run.

Verlander’s Return to Houston: A Boost to the Rotation

Verlander’s decision to return to Houston was met with much excitement from fans, teammates, and the organization alike. His return to the Astros’ rotation provides the team with one of the most accomplished pitchers in baseball history. Verlander’s presence not only boosts the rotation, but it also provides the Astros with a reliable ace who has shown the ability to rise to the occasion in the postseason.

Verlander’s statistics over the years are a testament to his Hall of Fame-level career. As of 2024, Verlander has:

• Career Wins: 255
• Career ERA: 3.33
• Strikeouts: 3,213
• Cy Young Awards: 2 (2011, 2019)
• All-Star Appearances: 9
• World Series Championships: 2 (2017, 2022)

Verlander’s return adds a crucial dimension to the Astros’ rotation, as the team already boasts a deep and talented starting staff, including Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, and Lance McCullers Jr. The addition of Verlander further solidifies the Astros’ pitching staff as one of the best in the American League and allows Houston to compete at the highest level throughout the regular season and in the postseason.

In addition to his on-field production, Verlander’s leadership will be invaluable in mentoring the younger arms on the team. His vast experience and ability to perform in pressure-filled situations can help guide the next generation of Astros pitchers to success, including Hunter Brown, who is expected to play a larger role in 2025.

The Astros’ Bullpen Outlook for 2025

While Verlander’s presence in the starting rotation is certainly a boost to the Astros’ pitching staff, the bullpen is where the team may have more uncertainty heading into the 2025 season. Over the past few seasons, the Astros’ bullpen has been a key strength of their pitching staff. In particular, they’ve relied on a mix of hard-throwing relievers and crafty veterans to secure wins in late innings.

As the 2025 season approaches, there are some key questions regarding the bullpen and how the team plans to approach its relief corps. With the rotation stabilized, Houston will need to ensure that they have a reliable group of relievers to close out games and keep leads intact. Let’s take a closer look at the bullpen situation and the potential pieces that will play key roles in the Astros’ relief efforts.

1. Ryan Pressly: The Closer

One of the pillars of the Astros’ bullpen in recent years has been Ryan Pressly, who has served as the team’s closer since 2018. Pressly, a veteran right-hander, has been consistently dominant in the ninth inning, earning save after save with a blend of poise, control, and a devastating slider.

As of 2024, Pressly has:

• Saves: 104
• ERA: 3.23
• Strikeouts per 9 Innings: 11.0
• WHIP: 1.05

Pressly’s ability to handle high-pressure situations makes him an ideal closer, and his continued success will be critical to the Astros’ chances in 2025. He has proven himself as a reliable option in late-game situations, especially in postseason play, where he has been a key factor in closing out games. The Astros will be counting on him to maintain his effectiveness as their primary closer.

2. Héctor Neris: A High-Leverage Arm

Another key figure in the Astros’ bullpen is Héctor Neris, a hard-throwing right-hander who has served as a setup man for Pressly. Neris has been with Houston since 2022 and has provided valuable innings in high-leverage situations. Known for his splitter, which is one of the nastiest pitches in the game, Neris is a key weapon in the Astros’ bullpen arsenal.

In 2024, Neris posted:

• ERA: 3.05
• Strikeouts per 9 Innings: 12.2
• WHIP: 1.12

As the Astros’ setup man, Neris plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between the starting rotation and the closer. His ability to get outs in high-leverage moments will be crucial for Houston’s success, especially as they face off against some of the toughest offenses in the American League.

3. **The Return of the Lefties: A. J. Puk and Will Smith

One of the key areas where the Astros may look to add depth in the bullpen is in their left-handed relief options. In 2025, the Astros will have the opportunity to utilize A.J. Puk, who was acquired from the Oakland Athletics as part of a trade. Puk, a towering left-hander, has the potential to become a dominant force in the bullpen. With a mid-90s fastball and a devastating slider, he has the tools to get both left-handed and right-handed hitters out.

Another potential option for the Astros’ bullpen is Will Smith, a veteran lefty who has had a successful career as both a setup man and a closer. Smith brings experience and postseason success, making him a valuable asset in the bullpen.

As teams increasingly look to exploit favorable matchups between left-handed pitchers and opposing batters, having reliable lefty arms in the bullpen becomes more important. Puk and Smith could be crucial pieces for the Astros as they navigate tough matchups in the regular season and postseason.

4. Hunter Brown’s Potential Role

While Hunter Brown is expected to play a larger role in the starting rotation in 2025, he could also provide flexibility for the bullpen, especially if injuries or workload limits arise. Brown is a power pitcher who can consistently touch 100 mph with his fastball. His ability to miss bats and generate strikeouts makes him a potential weapon in the bullpen, should the Astros need to deploy him in high-leverage relief situations.

If Brown is not needed in the rotation at any point during the season, he could become an even more valuable weapon in the bullpen, where his power stuff would be a challenge for hitters late in games. His role in the bullpen could evolve based on the needs of the team, but his potential to become a dominant late-inning arm cannot be overlooked.

5. Depth and Potential Additions

While the Astros have a solid core in their bullpen, depth will be key in 2025. The bullpen is often one of the most unpredictable areas of a baseball team, with injuries and performance slumps frequently impacting relief pitchers. The Astros may look to bolster their bullpen further with a midseason trade or signing to ensure they have sufficient depth for a deep playoff run.

There are always relievers available in the trade market, especially as teams around the league begin to assess their playoff chances at midseason. The Astros could target a high-leverage reliever or a veteran arm to add insurance to the back end of the bullpen.