Baker: Verlander 'not progressing as quickly' from forearm injury

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that ace Justin Verlander's recovery from a forearm strain is going slower than expected.

"Verlander, to my knowledge, is not progressing as quickly as he'd like to," Baker said, according to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. "But does he ever? Verlander wanted to pitch yesterday."

The reigning AL Cy Young winner refuted a report late last month that he wouldn't pitch again in 2020 due to his injury. The 37-year-old hasn't talked about the ailment since.

The Astros previously said they would re-evaluate the situation after shutting Verlander down for a couple of weeks.

Verlander, who's an eight-time All-Star, has only made one start this season.