When’s Justin Verlander coming back? Astros confirm starting pitcher’s 2024 return for Washington Nationals series [Video]

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Clear your calendars, Astros fans! JV Day arrives before the weekend.

On Wednesday, Houston manager Joe Espada announced Justin Verlander will start on Friday evening when the team faces the Washington Nationals, marking the ace starting pitcher’s 2024 debut.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner began the season on the injured list with inflammation in his right shoulder. He made two rehabilitation starts, the first for Triple-A Sugar Land on April 7 before Saturday’s start for Double-A Corpus Christi.

“Getting him back is huge because it brings a level of confidence to our team, a boost of confidence that we’re going to get someone who’s been an MVP, a Cy Young (winner) on the mound,” Espada, whose ballclub sits last in the American League West, said. “It’s (good) for the morale and to get stuff started and moving in the right direction.”

Espada wouldn’t say how many pitches the 41-year-old would be limited …