Astros’ Verlander to make second and likely final rehab start Saturday for Double-A Corpus Christi [Video]

Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander throws during a spring training baseball workout Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Jeff Roberson, Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

HOUSTON – Houston ace Justin Verlander is scheduled to make his second and likely final rehabilitation start for Double-A Corpus Christi on Saturday night.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner opened the season on the injured list with inflammation in his right shoulder.

He allowed six earned runs and struck out six pitching into the fourth inning of his first rehabilitation start Sunday for Triple-A Sugar Land.

After Verlander threw 65 pitches in that start, Houston manager Joe Espada said the team expects the 41-year-old to throw 75-80 pitches on Saturday.

“Looking for him to feel well the next day and hopefully get him back out pitching for us here pretty soon,” Espada said Friday.

Espada has previously said that the Astros don’t expect that Verlander …