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Astros placed RHP Justin Verlander on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 16, with neck discomfort.

Advice: Houston’s decision to put Verlander on the shelf doesn’t come as much of a surprise after skipper Joe Espada told reporters earlier on Tuesday that the 41-year-old veteran was progressing “slower than expected” in his recovery from a lingering neck issue, which has been bothering him for a couple weeks now. He’ll get an extended break in an effort to put the issue to bed. No word yet on how the Astros will fill his spot in their injury-depleted starting rotation moving forward. Rotoworld Tuesday, 1:58 pm

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Verlander's (neck) progress has been "slower than we expected," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Advice: Verlander was scratched of his most recently scheduled start this past weekend against the Tigers because of neck discomfort. The club had been hoping he would be ready to start Thursday versus the White Sox, and while Espada didn't seem to officially rule Verlander out for the series finale in Chicago, he now appears likely to be pushed back again. Houston could have Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco both move up a day to start on Thursday and Friday, respectively, which would keep both pitchers on their typical four days' rest. The arrangement would also give Verlander a couple extra days to heal up if the team thinks he could take the ball Saturday versus the Orioles. A stint on the injured list for Verlander also can't be ruled out. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 11:03 am

Assad allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over five innings in a no-decision against San Francisco on Monday.

Advice: Assad needed 92 pitches to get through five frames, but he was effective during his time on the mound, limiting the Giants to just a fourth-inning run. However, the right-hander couldn't pick up his first win since mid-May, as Chicago's offense wasn't able to push across a run until after his departure. Nonetheless, this was a nice bounce-back for Assad after he surrendered seven earned runs over 10.1 frames across his previous two outings. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:47 pm

Javier Assad allowed one run in five innings and got a no-decision against the Giants on Monday.



Advice: Assad gave up five hits, walked two and struck out seven. He won four of his first nine starts of the season, but hasn’t won any of his last six starts. Assad struck out at least seven batters for the fourth time in his last five starts. His ERA is now 2.75 on the year. The 26-year-old right-hander is set to face the Mets at home this weekend.

Rotoworld Monday, 8:22 pm

Hicks (illness) will start Monday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Advice: Giants manager Bob Melvin acknowledged after Hicks' most recent outing in Tuesday's loss to the Astros that the right-hander had been sick for several days leading up to the start. The illness might have played a factor in Hicks' lackluster numbers versus Houston (three runs allowed on five hits and one walk over 4.2 innings), but it won't cause him to miss his next turn through the rotation. With the ailment further in the rear-view mirror while he takes the hill Monday on five days' rest, Hicks will look to recapture the strong form he displayed earlier in the season. Even though he's failed to meet the threshold for a quality start in each of his last eight appearances, Hicks heads into Monday's game with a 3.01 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. Rotowire.com Monday, 7:06 am