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The Houston Astros' star pitcher, Justin Verlander, will be starting the upcoming season on the injured list. This announcement was made by manager Joe Espada on Tuesday morning, as reported by Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle.

According to Espada, Verlander's placement on the injured list is not due to any setback in his recovery, but rather a precautionary measure. The 41-year-old ace experienced some soreness in his right shoulder and will require additional time to be fully ready for the season.

Despite the setback, Verlander's progression in his recovery has been described as "doing really well" by Espada. The team aims to prioritize Verlander's long-term health and will not rush him back for the Opening Day start. Verlander has been actively participating in multiple bullpen sessions, including one as recent as Sunday, without any negative reports.

Although there is no definite timeline for Verlander's return, the indications so far point towards a short-term stint on the injured list, with hopes of him missing only a couple of starts. The Astros and their fans remain cautiously optimistic regarding Verlander's recovery.

Fans may draw comparisons to the Kendall Graveman injury, which led to the team's signing of Josh Hader. However, the Astros are unlikely to seek out a major pitching addition in response to Verlander's short-term absence. The team is already close to the luxury-tax threshold, and signing a high-profile arm like Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery would come with substantial tax implications.

Verlander's recovery progress will be closely monitored not only for the team's roster decisions but also due to his contractual situation. The veteran pitcher has a vesting $35 million player option for the 2025 season, contingent upon him pitching 140 innings and receiving clearance from a third-party doctor regarding his arm's condition.

In the absence of Verlander, left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez is expected to make his second consecutive Opening Day start for the Astros. The rotation will likely feature a combination of right-handers Cristian Javier, Jose Urquidy, Hunter Brown, and J.P. France if he is deemed healthy.

While France has also been dealing with shoulder issues, the team has expressed optimism about his progress. As of now, the Astros have not indicated any concerns regarding his availability for Opening Day. If both Verlander and France are sidelined, Ronel Blanco and Brandon Bielak are likely to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation.

The exact duration of Verlander's time on the injured list remains uncertain. However, the Astros are hopeful that his temporary absence will not have a significant impact on their season. More updates on Verlander's recovery and the team's contingency plans are eagerly awaited by fans and analysts alike.